site.btaStrandja International Boxing Tournament Kicks Off in Sofia

The 76th Strandja International Boxing Tournament opened at Sofia Hall in the Bulgarian capital on Monday, the Ministry of Youth and Sports said in a press release. Over 220 entrants from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America will be competing in Europe's oldest surviving international boxing competition (also known as the Strandzha Cup or the Strandja Memorial) until March 2.

Olympic, world and European medallists are taking part in the tournament. Bulgaria is represented by 24 boxers, among them European men's champion Rami Kiwan, three-times Strandja winner Radoslav Rosenov, European medallist Ergyunal Sebahtin, European women's champion Sevda Asenova and European silver medallist Zlatislava Chukanova.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Petar Mladenov said in an opening speech that in addition to being a sport tournament, Strandja stands for tradition, sporting spirit and passion for boxing. He thanked the Bulgarian Boxing Federation for organizing the competition, popularizing and developing the sport of boxing and enhancing Bulgaria's image around the world.