On June 28, 2025, for the third time in a row, the Sofia Hall became an arena of youth energy and sports spirit.
The international SAMBO tournament is named after Ivan Doktorov— an honored master and coach of SAMBO, an honorary citizen of Panagyurishte and Ihtiman.
More than 150 cadets from 10 countries took part in the tournament: North Macedonia, Greece, Moldova, Belgium, France, Ukraine, Cyprus, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria. The Sofia gym was filled with adrenaline, sports passion and sincere friendship, just as Doctors himself would have liked.
The event was attended by numerous foreign delegations and sports leaders, including:
— Rosen Dimitrov — Chairman of the Bulgarian Sambo Federation
— Alexander Gavrilenkov, Head of the Moscow Regional Federation
— Yuli Peatikovsky — Chairman of the Moldovan Federation
— Volodimir Gozhiy — Head of the Odessa Federation
— Yerdal Fakic, Chairman of the Macedonian Federation
— Marius Andreu — Chairman of the Cyprus Federation
— Merabi Iliadis — Chairman of the Hellenic Federation
— Guska Viorel — Chairman of the Romanian Federation
The Ihtiman Municipality also expressed respect, recalling the merits of its outstanding countryman.
Special emotions were aroused by the performance of the club “SOP, sport, sambo for development” under the guidance of coach Emil Neshev. His students — children and youth from vulnerable groups — deservedly received medals and thunderous applause.
The guests expressed their strong intention to participate in the next Ivan Doktorov tournament, which will be held on July 11-12, 2026.