Zakhari Damyanov — IKO World Open champion and one of Europe’s greatest Kyokushin fighters

Biography

Zakhari Damyanov is a legendary Bulgarian Kyokushin fighter and one of the most successful European athletes in the history of IKO Kyokushinkaikan. For many years he was part of the world heavyweight elite and was regarded as one of the leading figures in the European school of full-contact karate.

Damyanov gained worldwide recognition through victories at the European Championships, American tournaments, and the IKO World Open.

A defining moment in his career was winning the 11th IKO World Open in 2015, after which Zakhari firmly secured his place among the greatest non-Japanese fighters in the organization’s history.

Path in Kyokushin

Zakhari Damyanov began training Kyokushin in Bulgaria and was showing a high level of preparation from an early age.

Throughout his career he competed successfully both at European events and at the biggest IKO international tournaments. Thanks to outstanding physical conditioning, technical mastery, and experience, Damyanov gradually became one of Europe’s strongest fighters.

He gained particular recognition for his consistent performances at open-weight tournaments, where he competed successfully against Japanese, Russian, and Brazilian heavyweights.

World Open Performances

Zakhari Damyanov’s greatest achievement was winning the 11th IKO World Open in 2015.

This made him one of only a handful of European fighters to have won the premier Kyokushin world tournament.

Damyanov also performed well at other World Championships:

  • 2011 — 5th place at the 10th IKO World Open;
  • 2015 — IKO World Open champion (absolute category).

These results placed Zakhari among the strongest foreign fighters in the history of the World Open.

Victories and Podium Finishes

World Championships

  • 2011 — 5th place at the 10th IKO World Open;
  • 2015 — champion of the 11th IKO World Open.

European Championships

Zakhari Damyanov is one of the most decorated European fighters of his generation.

Confirmed results:

  • 2014 — European champion in the super-heavyweight category (+90 kg);

multiple-time European champion;

multiple-time IKO European Championship medalist.

All American Open

Zakhari Damyanov is a unique four-time All American Open champion:

  • 2008 — All American Open champion;
  • 2011 — All American Open champion;
  • 2012 — All American Open champion;
  • 2013 — All American Open champion;
  • 2007 — bronze medalist at the All American Open.

Also:

  • 2007 — US champion in the under-90 kg category.

International IKO Tournaments

winner of major international IKO tournaments;

one of the leaders of the European Kyokushin school;

regular participant in the world’s biggest IKO tournaments.

Special Awards

Tameshiwari

  • 2011 — best tameshiwari award at the 10th IKO World Open.

At that tournament, Damyanov set an outstanding result by breaking 24 boards, one of the best showings in the competition’s history.

Best Technique Award

  • 2014 — best technique award at the European Championship.