![Bulgaria Open 2026 [Photos]](https://i0.wp.com/www.mastkd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/55120945902_b3e58c6307_o.jpg?fit=797%2C478&ssl=1)
Bulgaria Open 2026 [Photos]
Images of the 2026 Bulgaria Open, staged from February 27 to March 1 at Arena 8888 in Sofia, Bulgaria, where elite-level Kyorugi and Poomsae gathered athletes, coaches and delegations from across Europe and beyond.
Alex Siliezar
Binev: “Taekwondo doesn’t end with medals; it teaches you to become someone”
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Slavcho “Slavi” Binev, President of the Bulgaria Taekwondo Federation, linked the Bulgaria Open’s organizational growth to an idea he repeated as his central message: Taekwondo must shape people before champions, and leadership means “not hiding problems,” but solving them with determination.
Barbarino aseguró que Euro 2026 en Múnich “será el más grande” de la historia
En una conversación exclusiva con MASTKD, el Secretario General de la European Taekwondo Union (ETU), Antonio Barbarino, afirmó que el Campeonato Europeo Senior 2026 (G4), previsto en Múnich (Alemania), fue planificado como una edición sin precedentes por escala y proyección, con organización alineada a las normas de World Taekwondo (WT).
Binev: “El Taekwondo no termina en medallas; te enseña a ser alguien”
SOFÍA, Bulgaria — Slavcho “Slavi” Binev, presidente de la Bulgaria Taekwondo Federation, vinculó el crecimiento organizativo del Bulgaria Open con una idea que repitió como eje: el Taekwondo debe formar personas antes que campeones, y el rol dirigencial consiste en “no esconder los problemas”, sino resolverlos con decisión.
Barbarino said Euro 2026 in Munich “will be the biggest” in the event’s history
In an exclusive conversation with MASTKD, European Taekwondo Union (ETU) Secretary General Antonio Barbarino said the 2026 European Senior Championships (G4) in Munich, Germany, had been designed as an unprecedented edition in scale and projection, with organization aligned to World Taekwondo (WT) standards.
Hassan Sadeghi: “The new rules make match more exciting”
The international referee and official of the Belgian Taekwondo Federation reviewed his work in educating and updating referees, analyzed the impact of recent rule changes, and previewed how Belgium will apply the new guidelines at its upcoming events, including the Belgium Open (March 21 and 22) and a Poomsae G1 scheduled for June 7.
Bulgaria Open moved venue due to record number of registrations
Petar Palazov, vice president of Bulgaria Taekwondo Federation, confirmed to MASTKD that the high number of registrations forced the Bulgaria Open to move to a larger arena, which he described as “the best” and “newest” in the country. He said that the aim of the event was to consolidate an international-standard competition and, at the same time, to promote an institutional vision of “Taekwondo beyond sport,” linking performance, values, and training.
USA Taekwondo awarded MNA of the Year
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates — USA Taekwondo was honored with the MNA of the Year (MNA Ranking) award, based on the latest ranking of Member National Associations (MNAs) by World Taekwondo.
Driss El Hilali, Vice President of WT: “Everything changed from Sydney to Paris”
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates — In an exclusive interview with MASTKD, the president of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Taekwondo, Driss El Hilali, analyzed the competitive leap made by the Fujairah Open–Arab Cup, the impact of rule changes, and the growth of African taekwondo despite structural barriers.
Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi: “We want to be the Taekwondo capital of the Middle East”
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates — Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, president of the United Arab Emirates Taekwondo Federation and member of the World Taekwondo Council, highlighted in an exclusive interview with MASTKD that the 13th edition of the Fujairah Open confirms the emirate's organizational strength and reaffirms the growth of the United Arab Emirates as a relevant actor in international Taekwondo.
