The 76th edition of the Strandja, the oldest international boxing tournament in Europe, opened in the Sofia Sports Hall here on Monday.

As many as 222 boxers from 22 countries and regions, including China, are participating in the event, the finals of which will be held on Sunday.

Petar Mladenov, Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, opened the competition, saying that "Strandja" was not only a sports tournament, but also a symbol of sports spirit, tradition, "and really shows what it is to believe in boxing."

Krasimir Ininski, president of the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, said he hoped that the tournament would be a high-level event, wishing all athletes and their coaches the best of luck, and no injuries.

A total of nine Chinese athletes, including six men and three women, will participate in the event.

Wu Yunbadari was the only Chinese who boxed on Monday. In the men's 60kg, he faced Bulgaria's Tinko Banabakov, but lost 3-2.