The World Junior Sambo Championship is scheduled to take place in Larnaca, Cyprus, from October 11 to 13. The event is organized under the banner of the International Sambo Federation, known as FIAS. Delegations from numerous nations are expected to field junior teams to compete over three days. Local organizers in Cyprus are coordinating with FIAS to host a smooth, competitive program that highlights young talent from around the world. The championship is seen as a pivotal moment for sambo’s growth in Europe and the Mediterranean region, illustrating the sport’s expanding footprint and the opportunities it offers to younger athletes.
The championship will include 55 weight classes across the sports and combat disciplines of sambo. Rosneft serves as the general partner while VTB Bank is the official partner, underscoring solid corporate support for junior development in the sport. The format balances technical skill with tactical savvy, offering athletes a broad stage to demonstrate consistency, adaptability, and competitive grit. Organizers emphasize that the event provides international exposure and valuable learning experiences for youth and their coaches, referees, and national federations. The sponsorship structure signals the federation’s commitment to elevating the junior level within sambo and encouraging broader participation.
Participants will include stars aged fourteen to sixteen, boys aged sixteen to eighteen, and youth aged eighteen to twenty. The tournament brings together a wide spectrum of experience, from first time competitors to those on the brink of moving into senior ranks. Coaches and referees from many countries will strive to ensure fair judging and a demanding yet supportive atmosphere. The junior championship is widely regarded as a proving ground where technical mastery, composure, and competition sense begin to crystallize into professional potential.
Vasily Shestakov, president of the International Sambo Federation, noted that this tournament often introduces new talent who rise to prominence in the sport within a few years. He said that fresh stars frequently emerge here and go on to shape the SAMBO world. He expressed confidence that the World Junior Championship will be conducted at a high standard, reflecting the federation’s expectations and the dedication of the athletes.
Shestakov also remarked that the youth world championship draws growing attention from the wider martial arts community and fans. He added that the event provides a solid platform for athletes to sharpen their skills and gain essential experience before stepping into higher levels of competition. For many young competitors, the championship serves as a critical bridge between training halls and the international arena, turning ambitions into tangible progress and confidence on the mat.
Context elsewhere in the sport shows momentum as Russian athletes recently clinched six gold medals on the opening day of the World Beach Sambo Championships. The result underscores the depth of talent in the sport and sets a high bar for junior participants who aspire to reach that level in the coming years. The World Junior Championship in Cyprus is positioned to be a complementary stage where emerging talents can learn, test themselves, and build the foundations for future success in SAMBO.