The World Sambo Championship delivered a full slate of excitement as 21 sets of medals were awarded. In a move approved by the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) Executive Committee, several competitors from Russia, Belarus, and France participated under neutral status, ensuring a level playing field for all athletes involved.
Medal distribution followed a clear hierarchy across women, men, and the Battle with Sambo category, with teams and individuals earning recognition for their performance on the mats.
Women
- FIAS 1 representing Russian athletes earned a total of 2 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes.
- Uzbekistan secured 2 gold medals, highlighting its strong showing in the competition.
- FIAS 2 representing Belarusian athletes captured 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes.
Men
- FIAS 1 with Russian athletes topped the podium with 5 golds and 1 bronze.
- Kyrgyzstan collected 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, demonstrating depth across weight categories.
- Bulgaria earned 1 gold medal, contributing to a competitive overall medal spread.
Battle with Sambo
- FIAS 1 with Russian athletes led the category with 6 golds and 1 silver.
- Cameroon reached the podium with 1 gold and 1 silver.
- Armenia earned 2 silvers and 3 bronzes, reinforcing its presence on the world stage.
Vasily Shestakov, president of the International Sambo Federation, conveyed that the championships showcased memorable moments and sparked new emotional highlights for both competitors and spectators. He specifically highlighted Cameroonian sambo wrestler Seydou Njie Mulou for winning the 98 kg weight category in combat sambo for the second time, and he applauded the broader geographical spread of medal winners as 23 national federations returned home with awards. The event underscored the growing global appeal of sambo and the breadth of talent across regions, as noted by officials and athletes alike.
The World Sambo Championship, supported by Rosneft and VTB Bank, took place in Yerevan from November 10 to 12. The organizers and participants emphasized the event’s role in elevating the sport’s profile and fostering international collaboration among national federations. The competition served as a platform for athletes to showcase skill, discipline, and strategic versatility on mats that demanded precision, endurance, and quick adaptation to diverse styles. This edition reflected a robust schedule of matches, celebrations of teamwork, and a renewed commitment to expanding the sport’s reach across continents.
Looking back on the proceedings, the championship appeared as a milestone event that blended intense competition with a celebration of international camaraderie in sambo. The performances by competitors from multiple federations illustrated a resilient and dynamic global community, ready to build on this momentum in upcoming editions of the World Sambo Championship. The gathering also signaled a continuing trend toward wider geographic participation and a more inclusive competitive environment for athletes under neutral status when applicable, as the federation continues to refine its policies to maintain fair play and high-level competition.