10/29/2026
AJJIF LEGACY “AN ETERNAL LEGACY IN SAMBO”
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH TIKHOMIROV
“A LIFETIME FOR SAMBO. AN INSPIRATION FOR GENERATIONS.” - IN MEMORIAM -
A great legacy begins with a life devoted to something greater than oneself.
For Mikhail Ivanovich Tikhomirov, that devotion was Sambo. Across decades of training, teaching, and international leadership, he helped carry its traditions from the hands of one generation into the future of the next.
Through a lifetime of teaching, leadership, and service to Sambo worldwide, he earned an enduring place in its history. He understood that every athlete needs an opportunity, every tradition needs guardians, and every generation needs those willing to build a path forward.
The titles record his responsibilities. The awards recognize his service. Yet the deepest measure of his legacy is found in what continues: knowledge shared, athletes encouraged, friendships forged across borders, and the spirit of true sportsmanship entrusted to new generations.
AJJIF GLOBAL honors his memory with profound respect and enduring gratitude. His life’s work lives on each time a coach shares his knowledge, an athlete rises to a challenge, and a new generation discovers the strength and spirit of Sambo. What he helped build, we are entrusted to carry forward-with pride, with purpose, and with a dedication worthy of his legacy.
LT. GEN. MIKHAIL IVANOVICH TIKHOMIROV (1938–2021)
Leadership Positions and Honors:
Honorary President of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS)
Honorary President of the All-Russian Sambo Federation
President of the International Sambo Federation (1997–2004)
President of the European Sambo Federation (1992–1998)
President of the All-Russian Sambo Federation (1991–2001)
Vice President of the Russian Olympic Committee (2001–2005)
President of the Union of National and Non-Olympic Sports of Russia
Honored Coach of Russia
Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Russian Federation
Honorary Master of Sport in Sambo
Master of Sport of the USSR in Freestyle Wrestling
International Referee since 1972
Awards and Recognitions:
Order of Honor
Order “For Service to the Fatherland,” 2nd and 3rd Class
Order of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, 2nd Class
Medal “For Labor Valor”
Medal “Veteran of Labor”
Medal “Metropolitan Laurus”
Medal “Brotherhood in Arms”
Medal “For Service to Russia and Loyalty to Holy Orthodoxy and Arms”
Gold Badge of Honor “Public Recognition”
Commemorative Badge “Moscow Dynamo Member”
Letter of Appreciation from President of Russia Vladimir Putin
AJJIF GLOBAL
All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation
AJJIF Positions and Recognitions:
AJJIF Honorary President of the Sambo Division
AJJIF GLOBAL Board of Directors - Education Division
AJJIF Sambo Legend
AJJIF Victory Medal Award Recipient
Honorary Lifetime Member of AJJIF GLOBAL
AJJIF GLOBAL -
All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation
www.ajjif.org
