For the first time since he won a gold medal in Milan, reigning AIBA world champion Detelin Dalakliev of Bulgaria is back, taking part in the 61st Strandja Tournament from the 17th to the 21st of February during which he will also be celebrating his 27th birthday.

The annual event which is taking place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, welcomes 81 athletes from 11 nations, including powerful boxing nations such as Cuba, Russia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, France, Bulgaria, Turkey, Moldova, Egypt, Syria and FYR Macedonia.

When Dalakliev did not qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, he decided to train at full speed last year. His efforts paid off and he was crowned bantamweight champion in Milan at the AIBA World Championships. Dalakliev's defense is one of the best in the world; his opponents find it hard to get through his close guard.

Also attending the Strandja Tournament are the Cuban team's athletes: world champion Roniel Iglesias (64kg), Beijing Olympic Games silver medalist Carlos Banteur (69kg) and world championships silver medalist Osmay Acosta (91kg). A full 11-member Uzbek team coached by Sharaf Hudayberdiyev has also entered the tournament including top boxers twice world champion Abbos Atoyev (75kg), world championships' silver medalist Elshod Rasulov (81kg), world championships bronze medalist Bakhodirjon Sultanov (57kg), Asian champion Sanjarbek Rahmonov (64kg) and AIBA President's Cup winner Orzubek Shaymov (54kg).

Russia is also taking part with a squad of six boxers. Reigning world champion Artur Beterbiyev (81kg), twice Olympic champion Aleksey Tishchenko (60kg) and Arena Cup winner Ruslan Kamilov (57kg) are competing in the competition. Tishchenko failed his return to his original weight category in December, but he is hoping he can take part in the 2010 European Championships in Moscow.

The French delegation, including AIBA Youth World Championships bronze medalist Jeremy Beccu (48kg), and two bronze medalists from the AIBA World Championships Nordine Oubaali (51kg) and Abdelkader Bouhenia (81kg) are being led by former top boxer and coach John Dovi.

European champion Eduard Ambartsumyan (69kg), who went up a category into welterweight and reigning European champion Hovhannes Danielyan (48kg) will prove to be important contenders for their small three-member Armenian team.

With four current world champions, European champions and medalists from different important championships, fans can expect great battles and heroic fights at this year's Strandja Tournament.

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