From 2 to 6 July 2025, the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, played host to the Qualifying Heats and Junior Finals of the World Savate Combat Championships. Organised under the auspices of the International Savate Federation (FISav), the event brought together over 250 athletes, officials, and team delegations from 22 countries, turning Plovdiv into a vibrant hub of sporting excellence and international camaraderie.

Despite travel challenges that prevented five additional nations from attending, and the unfortunate absence of the Iranian delegation due to the closure of Tehran Airport, the championship delivered an inspiring week of high-level competition.

Participants were warmly welcomed by George Tanchev, President of the Bulgarian Savate Federation, and his dedicated team of volunteers. The competition officially commenced after weigh-ins on Wednesday, leading into three days of intense bouts supervised by a skilled team of international officials.

The competition featured two age categories for both male and female athletes: Juniors (18–20 years) and Seniors (21–39 years). Across the qualifying rounds, more than 160 matches were contested, culminating in 14 semi-finals that showcased the technical precision and resilience characteristic of Savate Combat.

Saturday evening saw the much-anticipated Junior Finals, where 13 titles were decided. Every athlete displayed remarkable energy, skill, and determination in their quest for the Junior World Champion title. The Senior Finals are scheduled to take place later this autumn.

AIMS commends FISav and its partners for their exceptional organisation of the event. This championship reflects not only the growing global reach of Savate but also the sport’s commitment to inclusivity, excellence, and community spirit — values deeply aligned with the AIMS family.