Elite sambo competitors from around the world are preparing for the Sambo World Cup, scheduled to take place in Kyrgyzstan on the 22nd and 23rd of August. This event brings together athletes from multiple nations and showcases the sport’s premier athletes in both the sport and combat formats of sambo, highlighting skill, strategy, and endurance on an international stage.
According to a decision by the Executive Board of the International SAMBO Federation, athletes from Armenia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will take part along with competitors from Russia and Belarus. The competition will proceed under the FIAS banner, reinforcing the federation’s global governance and standardization across continents and categories.
Competitors will vie under the rules of sport and fighting sambo, with the program spanning 48 weight divisions. This broad range ensures a dynamic field where athletes of varying builds can compete fairly and demonstrate precision, technique, and tactical innovation across numerous matchups and styles.
Vasily Shestakov, president of the International SAMBO Federation, noted that the federation has been steadily increasing the number of tournaments each year. He emphasized that the World Cup series is expanding beyond its traditional hubs to resume hosting events on different continents, a move designed to broaden experience for athletes and sharpen their professional craft through high-level competition.
Shestakov added that the gathering would bring participants from three continents—Asia, Europe, and Africa—staging a World Cup on Asian soil this year. He also highlighted the growing popularity of martial sambo fights among spectators, including showcases featuring women athletes, and expressed confidence that this format will continue to rise in prominence and appeal among fans and sponsors alike.
In other sports news, Umar Nurmagomedov recently featured in a high-profile UFC event, continuing his presence in international mixed martial arts circles and contributing to the ongoing conversation about competition at the highest levels.