NSB BELMEKEN, Bulgaria — The Bulgarian national sambo team has begun preparations for the 2026 international competition season. The training camp is taking place at the legendary BelmekenNational Sports Complex, located in the highlands of the Rila Mountains.
The location was chosen due to the unique conditions of the complex: Belmeken is located at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. Training at mid-altitude conditions is a recognized world standard for improving endurance, enhancing the body’s functional capabilities, and strengthening the mental resilience of athletes.
The national team’s coaching staff focused on the athletes’ comprehensive training. The program includes:
• Functional endurance: intensive general physical training.
• Technical and tactical training.
• Psychological adaptation: team building before important trips.
This camp is a key stage in preparation for the upcoming European Championships. The training is attended by the country’s best sambists, who passed the rigorous selection process at national championships. The camp is being held under the direction of Ivan Netov.
“Belmeken is a traditional breeding ground for champions. The foundation that allows our sambists to maintain the highest tempo in final bouts on the international stage is laid here. The conditions at the base allow them to fully focus on results,” the national team coaching staff noted.
The training camp in Belmeken will last several weeks, after which the team will begin the final stages of preparation before the main competitions of the season. Bulgarian sambo once again confirms its systematic approach to training, aimed at maintaining its leading position in Europe and the world.