Bulgaria has crowned its first world sumo champion in 16 years, with Simeon Stankovic winning gold in the under-115 kg category at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 17-18.

Stankovic claimed the title after four consecutive victories. He beat Kyrgyzstan’s Sulde Dongak in the semifinals before defeating Hungary’s Marcell Gorica in the final.

Bulgaria’s previous world champion in sumo was Stiliyan Georgiev, who won the title in 2010. Like Svetoslav Binev before him, Georgiev is a two-time world champion.

Stankovic said he had anticipated winning the title, crediting his preparation and the confidence of those around him. "To be honest, I largely expected this title. It might sound immodest, but I trained with the best in Bulgaria, such as Ivan Blagoev, a multiple-time medalist and European champion," he said, as quoted by Sport PR Events Management. He added that Blagoev and his loved ones had believed in him strongly, and that although he was certain he would win a medal, he had also expected to become world champion.

Known by the nickname "The Bull," Stankovic said he would not pause his training after the victory, as he has an MMA bout scheduled in Germany on November 7.

"There is no rest ahead; training continues, because I have an MMA match in Germany on November 7," he said.

Stankovic began wrestling at the age of six and moved to Germany when he was 16, competing in the First Bundesliga. He entered the national sumo championship for the first time in 2017 but subsequently stepped away from the sport for several years.

He returned in 2024 and won silver at the European Championships before finishing as world vice-champion in 2025. This year, he also trained in Japan at the stable run by former professional sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov, known as Kotooshu.

Away from competition, Stankovic practices falconry and makes leather accessories and equipment for birds of prey.

Bulgaria finished the World Championships with four medals: one gold and three bronze.

Mihaela Hristova took bronze in the under-65 kg category, while Stanislava Atanasova finished third in the 80 kg division.

Hristova said she was disappointed to have missed the opportunity to win gold, despite securing a place in the semifinals. "My first reaction after winning bronze is a sense of frustration - I was just one step away from the gold. I reached the semifinals; had I beaten the Japanese competitor, I could have been the world champion instead of finishing third," she commented. She added that mistakes could be corrected in future competitions but said she was still proud of her result.

Atanasova also said she had hoped to win the title, while acknowledging the value of her bronze medal.

"I’m both pleased and not. A bronze medal at a World Championship is a significant achievement, but I had come for the gold," she said. Atanasova added that she was proud to be third in the world and grateful for the support of her coaches, parents and friends.

Gabriela Spasova won Bulgaria’s third bronze medal in the under-60 kg category for girls under 18.

Six-time European champion Anna Metodieva returned to the dohyo after a decade away from competition and placed fifth, despite injuring her shoulder in her opening bout.

Ivan Blagoev, competing in the under-100 kg category, and Presiyan Mihov, in the 85 kg division, did not win medals.