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First-Year Student at VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Wins Gold at Bulgaria’s First National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship
07 October 2026
Kristian Nedkov, a first-year student majoring in Psychology at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar,” won the gold medal in the Youth Under 79 kg category at Bulgaria’s first official National No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The competition was held in Sofia at the end of September.
The tournament was organized by the Bulgarian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and brought together 168 competitors from 33 clubs across the country. The matches were held under the official rules of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). With his victory, Kristian became one of the first national champions crowned by Bulgaria’s newly licensed national federation for the sport.
The national title is the latest prestigious achievement for the young athlete on the national and international stage. Kristian, who represents Levski Sofia Martial Arts Club, is already a well-known name in combat sports. Among his greatest achievements to date is a gold medal at the prestigious ADCC Netherlands tournament, where he won all of his matches by submission. He is also a national and Balkan champion in mixed martial arts (MMA) in his division and ranks among the leading competitors on the Smoothcomp platform for fastest submission.
On the mat, the blue belt holder stands out for his dynamic, explosive, and highly aggressive style, combined with tactical discipline. Kristian’s interest in psychology was inspired by his parents, who graduated from the same degree programme at Varna Free University. His decision to study Psychology is also closely connected to his interest in emotional control and stress management, as well as the ability to analyze and anticipate an opponent’s behavior on the mat - knowledge and skills that have a significant impact on his preparation and tactical approach during competition.
Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” actively supports the development of young talent and enables students to combine academic studies with an active sporting career. The university’s Bachelor’s degree programmes, modern facilities, and established traditions in psychology education provide students with opportunities to develop their potential and successfully pursue both their professional and sporting goals.