New Zealand SAMBO Federation

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

An International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) delegation led by FIAS President Vasily Shestakov took part in the SportAccord Forum 2026, held on 5-7 October in Lausanne, Switzerland.

During the forum, FIAS representatives met with Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and held working talks with representatives of the IOC Sports Department. One of the key topics was the further development of SAMBO within the international sports system and its prospects on the path to the Olympic program.
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Particular attention at the forum was paid to the IOC's new strategic framework, Fit for the Future, which sets out the main directions for the development of the Olympic Movement through 2032.
The strategy was shaped by the large-scale Pause and Reflect consultation process launched by IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
It covers five key areas: athletes, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement, the impact of the Olympic Movement, and audience engagement and revenue generation.
For international federations, the IOC's evolving approach to shaping the Olympic sports program is especially significant. Under Fit for the Future, the IOC is considering how the program should develop in light of athletes' and young audiences' interests, the global reach of sports, the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of hosting the Games, and changes in the wider sporting environment. For FIAS, understanding these new principles is of strategic importance. It allows the federation to take the IOC's priorities into account as SAMBO develops and to build its long-term work on promoting the sport within the Olympic Movement.
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In Lausanne, the FIAS delegation also took part in the General Assemblies of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), and held working meetings with the leadership of both organizations. One of the key topics was continuing the work to include SAMBO in the program of The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany.
An important part of the program was a meeting with the leadership of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), including its President and Secretary General. The sides reviewed the results of the first international SAMBO tournament for military personnel, which CISM's leadership rated highly. The successful staging of the competition marked an important step in developing cooperation between FIAS and CISM.
The sides also discussed the possibility of holding a second international SAMBO tournament for military personnel, further expanding SAMBO's presence in the CISM sports program, and strengthening cooperation between the two organisations. FIAS and CISM expressed interest in continuing joint work and building long-term cooperation.
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Working meetings were also held at the SportAccord Forum with United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalović and International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Secretary General Stefan Fox. The sides discussed current issues in the development of the international sports movement and further cooperation.
FIAS representatives also took part in a meeting dedicated to the World Combat Games. Participants discussed the future of the project, the prospects for holding the next edition, and possible formats of cooperation between international federations within this multi-sport event.
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“Lausanne has been one of the main venues these days where the international sports movement sets its course for the coming years. It was important for SAMBO to be here, to receive information first-hand and to hold direct dialogue with the IOC leadership and international sports organizations. The new Fit for the Future strategy gives us an understanding of where the Olympic Movement is heading and what requirements will be placed on international federations and sports. We will take these changes into account in our work, continuing to expand SAMBO's presence in the largest multi-sport competitions and moving steadily towards our strategic goal: the inclusion of SAMBO in the Olympic Games program,” said International SAMBO Federation President Vasily Shestakov.
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The SportAccord Forum 2026 took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Previously known as the International Federation Forum (IF Forum), it was renamed this year and held in an expanded format. This was the 20th edition of the event, which is held with the support of the IOC. The forum's theme was “When the Playbook Changes: Leading Sport in a New Reality”.
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS
Olympics The World Games

05/10/2026

‼️GREAT ACHIEVEMENT SUAO ‼️
🥋 World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships Conclude in Thessaloniki.

On 4 October, the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships concluded in Thessaloniki, Greece. The final day was dedicated to the Cadet divisions, with results of particular interest to the Asia & Oceania region.

Mongolia claimed four Cadet gold medals:

* Munkh-aldar Enkh-Amgalan — 46 kg
* Anujin Gantulga — 59 kg
* Nandintsetseg Purev — 65 kg
* Delger Jadamba — 72 kg

Kazakhstan won two women’s divisions — 44 kg and 47 kg — while Uzbekistan added a silver medal through Akbarshokh Bibolatov at 71 kg, along with two bronze medals.

These results continued the strong Asian performances seen on Day 2. Uzbekistan’s Islom Abduzakirov won gold in the Junior 71 kg division, while Ozodbek Ataev took silver at 64 kg. Turkmenistan was particularly impressive in Junior Combat SAMBO, winning four gold medals.

Why this matters for NZSF

These results provide an important benchmark for the New Zealand Sambo Federation.

Asian nations are now highly competitive not only at Senior level. Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are developing strong pathways across the full progression:

Cadet → Youth → Junior → Senior

This is the level of competition that New Zealand and other Oceania nations will increasingly face at Asia & Oceania Championships and other international events.

Full official results: FIAS

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🌏 Record Participation — More Than 40 Countries

The scale of the Thessaloniki Championships is also worth highlighting.

FIAS reported record international participation for a youth-level World Championships. Athletes from more than 40 countries were expected to compete, representing a genuinely global field — from Australia, Japan, Mongolia and the Philippines to the United States, Canada and numerous European nations.

Over three days of competition, 55 sets of medals were contested across Youth, Junior, Junior Combat SAMBO and Cadet divisions.

Why this is significant

For FIAS, the record participation demonstrates the continuing geographical growth of SAMBO worldwide.

For NZSF, there is an important practical message: the international youth development pathway is becoming a major competitive programme in its own right, rather than simply preparation for Senior SAMBO.

Developing a strong Cadet → Youth → Junior → Senior pathway in New Zealand will therefore be increasingly important for long-term international success.


samboasia_official
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

19/09/2026

5th NZ SAMBO National 🇳🇿FINALS
Auckland / 19 September 2026 , done and confirmed list of Sambo Team NZ
for 50th World Sambo Championships,
5-8 November in Tashkent,
capital of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
We are proudly announcing:
- Hamish Murray -79 kg / Sport Sambo Hamilton Sambo
- Jedidiah Leilua +98 kg/ Combat Sambo HQ NZ Sambo @789
- Robert Tuitaope +98 kg / Sport Sambo HQ NZ Sambo @789
- National Coach Taras Barbashin

Big THANKS to all NZ Sambo Federation Committee for organising final National Sambo event of year 2026 ! Great Job 👍

New Zealand SAMBO Federation
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

18/09/2026

🥋 DID YOU KNOW? Rickson Gracie competed in SAMBO!

Rickson Gracie — one of the greatest legends of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — actually competed in SAMBO tournaments in the USA in the 1980s. Rare vintage footage still exists showing Rickson fighting under SAMBO rules. (Graciemag)

🎥 WATCH: Rickson Gracie competing in SAMBO
Vintage Rickson Gracie SAMBO footage — Graciemag

But the most fascinating chapter came later.

In 1993, American SAMBO and Judo champion Ron Tripp officially defeated Rickson at a SAMBO competition in Norman, Oklahoma. Tripp executed an uchi-mata, and the match ended under SAMBO rules in approximately 47 seconds.

It wasn’t MMA and Rickson wasn’t submitted — he was defeated by a decisive SAMBO throw.

🎙️ RON TRIPP tells the story himself:
MMA History Podcast — Ron Tripp & Rickson Gracie

⏱️ Jump to 1:09:59 for the Rickson Gracie story.

An extraordinary moment when SAMBO, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history crossed paths.

https://youtu.be/kbHfWIpFp1s?si=47fTGbYEzd3v-V5C

🇳🇿 New Zealand Sambo Federation

International SAMBO Federation - FIAS
New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

The Only Man to Officially Beat Rickson Gracie — And Didn’t Even Kn...

17/09/2026

What is Sambo?
Sambo is Mixed Martial Arts.

Here are some pictures from our visit to Whaingaroa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

It was a realization that Kimura Kiwis Inc. was only possible in the Waikato because of the foundations set through Professor Beale and the original Groundcontrol crew.

Sambo is on the same early pathway.

13/09/2026

Fedor Emelianenko - The Best Ever
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

11/09/2026

Next stop, Paralympics 🙌🏻

Sharing an opportunity from the New Zealand Sambo Federation. 🥋
Sambo is a grappling Martial Art sport that combines elements of wrestling and judo, with a focus on throws, control, and technique.

The flyer shared explains they want to hear from people interested in the sport who are blind or have low vision. No previous Sambo experience is required. While current clubs exist in Waikato and Central Auckland, they are interested in hearing from people in other parts of New Zealand to help gauge interest.

Please contact Sambo NZ directly using [email protected] or visiting their website sambo.nz.

05/09/2026

🥋 NZ SAMBO NATIONALS - 19 SEPTEMBER 2026

The NZ Sambo Federation Nationals are coming up on 19 September 🇳🇿

Thinking about competing, or just curious about how Sambo works?

Hamilton Sambo is a great place to learn the rules in person.

If you already train in judo, BJJ, wrestling, MMA, Muay Thai or another martial art, you don't need to change gyms to give Sambo a try.

Come along, learn the rules, understand how your existing skills fit the Sambo ruleset, and get some rounds in.

Cross-train. Learn something new. Keep training where you already belong.

We're also putting together public sparring sessions and open mats over the coming weeks - opportunities to come along, meet other martial artists and experience the Sambo ruleset in practice.

https://smoothcomp.com/en/event/30290