New Zealand SAMBO Federation

REGULATIONS PUBLISHED FOR THE 2026 WORLD CADET, YOUTH AND JUNIOR SAMBO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Looking for expressions interest!

The International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) has published the regulations for the 2026 World Cadet, Youth and Junior SAMBO Championships. Cadets, Youth and Juniors will take to the mats, with the event set to run from October 2-4 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The tournament will be held at the PAOK Sports Arena, one of the city’s most recognisable sporting venues. Opened in 2000 and affectionately known to local fans as “Palataki” (the “little palace”), it is the largest privately owned arena in Greece, with seating for more than 8,500 spectators.

Athletes representing their national SAMBO federations across the following age groups are eligible to compete:

Cadets (boys and girls), born 2010-2012, ages 14-16

Youth (men and women), born 2008-2010, ages 16-18

Juniors (men and women), born 2006-2008, ages 18-20

Junior Combat SAMBO, born 2006-2008 – men only

The regulations set out weight categories for each age group, separately for men and women, from the lightest through to the heaviest, including an absolute category. Athletes may compete in only one discipline, one age category, and one weight category.

To be admitted to the championships, national SAMBO federations must complete registration through the online licensing and competition registration system in the FIAS Database.

All participating athletes are required to complete one of the approved anti-doping education courses and obtain the relevant certificate – without it, accreditation and participation will not be granted. Athlete selection for doping control will be carried out in accordance with the FIAS Anti-Doping Rules.

Full details of the tournament, including the complete regulations, are available on the event page in the calendar on the official FIAS website: https://sambo.sport/en/events/molodezhnoe-pervenstvo-mira-po-sambo-2026/

With All Whites – We just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

A landmark moment unfolded at the 2026 Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships in Manila: Australian athlete Jillian Hardey won gold in the women's Combat SAMBO competition. Claiming victory in the under-65kg weight category, she became the first Australian in history to reach the top of the podium at a continental championship – a genuine breakthrough for a country where SAMBO is still finding its footing.
Gold on the First Try
Remarkably, the Manila championships marked not only Hardey's SAMBO debut, but her first international competition of any kind.
“Throughout the whole championship I felt this incredible excitement. It's an amazing feeling. Knowing that the sport is already growing in Australia, and being a woman representing Australia at this event, already means a lot.
And of course, it's especially meaningful to become the first Australian in history to win gold at a continental championship,” she said shortly after her win.
SAMBO Federation of Australia Limited
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

Congratulations to SAMBO Team New Zealand 🇳🇿 with new page of the History Sambo NZ & Oceania.
Huge appreciation to Team :
all medalist 🥈🥉🥉🥉:
Lily HOUBEN
Rickson HILL
Jedidiah LEILUA
coaches, Clubs, parents and families
and our first ever in Oceania International Sambo referee
Layia WEST .
Great job and worthy Experiences in Sambo Asia & Oceania Championships Manila -2026 .

The Leadership of Asia & Oceania Sambo Union (SUAO)
The International Sambo Federation (FIAS)
The Organizing Committee of the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships 2026, Philippines

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the New Zealand Sambo Federation, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the outstanding success of the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships 2026 in Manila.
Congratulations to medalist Sambo Team New Zealand 🇳🇿 , coaches and families
Lily HOUBEN / CORE MMA :
🥈 80+kg Junior Sport Sambo
🥉 80+kg Adult Sport Sambo
Rickson HILL 🥉-88kg Combat Sambo / Hamilton Sambo
Jedidiah LEILUA 🥉98+kg Combat Sambo / Auckland Sambo HQ

Our special appreciation goes to Paolo Tancotian, whose leadership, dedication, and hospitality made this championship truly memorable.
We would also like to thank Sydney, the entire Organizing Committee, all volunteers, officials, and staff for their tireless efforts, professionalism, attention to every detail, willingness to help, and remarkable problem-solving skills throughout the event. Your hard work created an excellent atmosphere for athletes, coaches, referees, and delegates from across our region.

Please accept our heartfelt congratulations on delivering such a well-organized and successful championship. Your commitment to the development of Sambo in Asia and Oceania is deeply appreciated and has set a high standard for future events.
With sincere appreciation and best regards,
Sergey Permitin
President
New Zealand Sambo Federation

🇳🇿🥈🇳🇿🤍🖤
First medal for Sambo Team New Zealand at the Asia & Oceania SAMBO Championships Manila -2026 🇵🇭!

🥈Congratulations to Lily Houben from CORE MMA / Sambo for her achievement today.
Being on a podium with the top countries of our sport is truly satisfying.
✅️Compete in the morning,
✅️weight-in the afternoon for tomorrow's adult division.
✅️Attend late evening medal ceremony.
You are doing incredible work Lily. Get a good rest, the Adults await you tomorrow.

Oh, and did you see the 👑 Princess of Sambo on the mat today? (name given by our Sambo community)
Owned the centre of the mat, including the finals, refereeing all day and looking fresh while working from 9am to after 8pm!❤️
Alongside her was apprentice referee and former Wrestling New Zealand-NZOWU The NZ Team Olympics representitive Taylor Ford. (Who is now representing Australia 🇦🇺 Sambo Federation) 💛

Great support from our team in the crowd today, really proud of the way they interacted with the rest of the public and competing teams. Even coming back in the evening to see Lily recieve her podium spot. (The heat fatigue while on restricted diet is extremely testing).

Tomorrow's schedule for Sambo Team New Zealand..... (today for kiwis waking to read this)

💥2pm NZT Adults tournament starts. sambo.live for free live stream.
(Lily, Sport Sambo Women +80kg)

💥Weigh-ins. For Sunday matches. (Hamish, Sport Sambo Men -71kg.
Eddie, Combat Sambo Men -79kg. Rickson, Combat Sambo Men -88kg.
Jedi, Combat Sambo Men +98kg.)

All on target, fit, healthy and excited 💯

International SAMBO Federation - FIAS samboasia_official

The New Zealand Sambo Federation is broadening its collaborative efforts.
During a recent visit to Japan, NZSF President Sergey Permitin had the opportunity to meet with one of Japan’s most esteemed Sambo practitioners, Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU, to whom he presented the Honorary Gold Medal of the New Zealand Sambo Federation. Sensei Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU is a former national 🇯🇵 champion in both Judo and Sambo in Japan.
He actively promotes Sambo in Japan and other Asian countries, having established robust international exchanges in Mongolia and the Philippines through Judo, Sambo, and international education initiatives.
Notably, Victor Tadashi Itakusu holds the titles of Master of Sport from the USSR and Master of Sports in Mongolia, and has received a National Honorary Medal in Sambo in the Philippines.
Plans are underway for him to visit New Zealand next year to conduct a Sambo seminar and masterclass, as well as hosting Sambo Team NZ 🇳🇿 at Sambo Camp in Kamamoto, Japan .