Ukrainian sambo athletes entering the World Championship orbit have arrived in Yerevan to complete the official accreditation phase, a standard precursor to competition. The update comes from FIAS sources via RIA News and outlines the current steps in advance of the event.
The report notes that the Ukrainian team traveled to Yerevan specifically for the accreditation process, conducted at a city hotel. Organizers expect that ten sambists will participate when the tournament opens, underscoring Ukraine’s continued commitment to the sport despite recent challenges. Accreditation is a routine part of major international meets, validating eligibility and permitting athletes to compete on the starting days.
The World Championship is scheduled to unfold in Yerevan, Armenia, from November 10 to November 12. The event has drawn broad international interest, with 65 countries applying to take part. This level of engagement demonstrates sambo’s global reach and the championship’s significance within the annual competition calendar.
Historically, the Ukrainian sambo team has chosen to sit out several continental and world fixtures, with reports noting a boycott of the European Championships in September 2023 and the World Championship in Kyrgyzstan. Such decisions reflect broader geopolitical and organizational factors that affect athletes and national programs as they navigate travel, logistics, and competition opportunities in a dynamic international landscape.
Following directives from the FIAS Executive Committee, athletes from Russia, Belarus, France, and refugee teams will compete under neutral status. This approach preserves competitive integrity while recognizing the diverse membership of the global sambo community. Neutral status is intended to sustain fair play while respecting the varied contexts in which athletes train and compete.
The championship program spans 21 weight categories, offering a broad platform for athletes across divisions. Women will compete in classes of 50 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 72 kg, 80 kg, and over 80 kg. In men’s divisions, weight classes include 58 kg, 64 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, and over 98 kg. Combat Sambo is also featured, with classes in 58 kg, 64 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, and over 98 kg. The format highlights the sport’s versatility, balancing technical grappling with combat applications across both standard and combat variants.
Past editions have included a World Junior Sambo Championship, which serves as a development platform for younger competitors and a stepping stone toward senior international events. While the current report centers on the ongoing World Championship in Yerevan, the broader sambo ecosystem continues to emphasize youth development, regional competition, and ongoing evolution of rules and formats guiding international play. The continued participation of Ukrainian athletes—whether in active competition or within accreditation and preparation activities—demonstrates a persistent passion for sambo and resilience as teams pursue excellence on the world stage. Overall, the event marks a key moment for athletes, coaches, and national programs in their ongoing efforts to excel, adapt, and compete at the sport’s highest level, with observers watching to understand how political and organizational factors shape the field and opportunities for each participating nation.nCitation: RIA News. FIAs oversight and event logistics noted.