A Bulgarian martial arts organization held its fifth Kung Fu Open Competition in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia on Saturday.
The Bulgarian Kung Fu and Tai Chi Federation (BKTF) welcomed 146 junior and senior martial artists during the competition, where they bested one another in light-fighting sana, military sanda, traditional taichi, tuishou and traditional taolu.
The athletes were comprised of 125 Bulgarians and 21 Romanians.
Thirty-three-year-old Romanian contestant Miharala said that he has been involved in kung fu and tai chi for more than two decades and that he found the martial arts helpful with his physical health as well as self-defense.
Lubomir Rangelov, chairman of BKTF, said that the goal of the competition was to uphold kung fu and tai chi across all ages in Bulgaria.
The federation head said that the martial art of kung fu can develop the human spirit and a practitioner's upbringing.
Teymour Jafari, general-secretary of the federation, said that BKTF would be pleased to have Chinese kung fu masters over in Bulgaria to impart their knowledge and skills.
Kung fu was first introduced in Bulgaria in the 1970s and its following has grown over the years, with at least 2,500 Bulgarians currently practicing different kung fu styles in about 50 clubs and four kung fu federations existing across the country.
World Traditional Kung Fu President Florin Iordanoaia said that he hopes for the setting up of a national kung fu organization in Bulgaria with assistance from the country's sports ministry.
He cited the children participating in kung fu sports clubs as a reason for the government to help them financially in establishing and developing the organization.