Sambo

Originating in the Soviet Union

Sambo originated in the 1920s, when the Soviet Union was looking for a practical system for unarmed combat. The aim was to collect useful techniques from various wrestling and martial arts, evaluate them critically, and adapt them for military and other professional applications.

Oshchepkov and Spiridonov

Vasili Oshchepkov was one of the first foreigners to learn judo in Japan. He earned a second dan under Kano Jigoro and brought his knowledge of judo back to the Soviet Union. Viktor Spiridonov had experience in freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, regional wrestling styles, and Japanese jiujitsu, among other disciplines. A bayonet wound sustained during the First World War limited the use of his left arm, so he placed extra emphasis on movement, timing, and efficiency rather than brute force.

Oshchepkov and Spiridonov initially developed their systems largely independently of each other. Their ideas later came into contact through students, military staff, and joint research projects. Anatoly Kharlampiev, a student of Oshchepkov, subsequently played an important role in systematizing and shaping the new system as a sport.

Dynamo and the development of sambo

After the establishment of Vsevobuch in 1918, the Red Army's physical and military training was further organized. Within Dynamo, instructors and researchers worked on hand-to-hand combat training. During trips to places including Mongolia and China, Spiridonov studied local fighting and wrestling styles. Oshchepkov, Kharlampiev, and other experts also collected techniques from various regions and countries.

Each technique was evaluated for its usefulness in combat and then adapted. This led to a comprehensive technical system influenced by judo, jiujitsu, freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and folk wrestling from the former Soviet regions.

From Samoz to sambo

Spiridonov also developed a gentler approach that became known as Samoz. This form was intended for smaller or injured practitioners and for situations in which efficiency was more important than strength. In 1938, sambo was recognized as an official sport by the Soviet Sports Committee. This moment is considered the formal birth of sport sambo, even though its development was the work of multiple pioneers and their students.

From the Soviet system to international sport

After its official recognition in 1938, sambo evolved from a Soviet sports system into an international competitive sport. In 1968, FILA recognized sambo as an international wrestling style. This gave the sport a broader place alongside Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling.

The role of FIAS

In 1985, the sambo community founded the Federation International Amateur Sambo, or FIAS for short. The organization developed international rules and championships. In the 1990s, an administrative split emerged, after which various organizations and federations continued to shape the promotion and organization of sambo.

Later partnerships between FIAS and international wrestling and judo organizations aimed to create greater unity and visibility. FIAS organizes sport sambo and also works with partners on the further development of combat sambo. The World Combat Sambo Federation and national associations also organize international events.

Sambo and the Olympic Games

Sambo is internationally recognized but is not part of the current Olympic competition program. The sport did receive recognition from the International Olympic Committee and was included in other international multisport events. Stories about a rapid Olympic introduction have failed to materialize several times; sambo's Olympic status therefore remains a separate issue in international sports politics.

A sport with many faces

Today, sambo is practiced as sport sambo, combat sambo, and in various specialized forms such as self-defense sambo, freestyle sambo, and beach sambo. Not every variant falls under the same governing body or uses the same rules. For a competition, the regulations of the organizing federation are therefore always decisive.

Different forms of sambo

In addition to sport sambo and combat sambo, there are forms developed for a specific training purpose or environment. The name and content of these disciplines may vary by organization. Not every form has the same international status or competition rules.

• Self-defense sambo - emphasizes defense against armed and unarmed attacks. The method often uses an attacker’s strength and aggression against them.
• Special sambo - a specialized form for military or other professional units, tailored to their specific mission.
• Freestyle sambo - a variant in which some submission techniques not permitted in sport sambo wrestling are allowed, including chokes.
• Beach sambo - sambo on a soft surface such as sand, with an adapted competition format.
• FCF-MMA - a form without the traditional kurtka, in which athletes combine various martial arts techniques while wearing shorts and gloves.

These specialized forms require extra caution regarding historical and organizational claims. Always check the current rules and recognition of the federation organizing the training or competition.

Sport sambo competition rules

A sport sambo match begins standing. The sambokas try to throw each other onto their back, side, or stomach, or apply a hold that leads to a submission. According to the supplied competition framework, a match lasts five minutes. Youth matches last four minutes.

Scoring and victory

• Four points - a throw in which the opponent clearly lands on their back.
• Two points - a throw in which the opponent lands on their side.
• One point - a throw in which the opponent lands on their stomach or buttocks.

A match can end early when a samboka builds an eight-point lead. If that does not happen, the athlete with the highest score wins after regulation time. In the event of a tie, the highest individual score, the last score, and penalty points under the regulations may determine the winner. A submission ends the match immediately.

What is not allowed?

• twisting an opponent's arm behind their back;
• performing techniques on the shoulder, wrist, neck, fingers, or toes;
• grabbing the mat;
• grabbing the opponent below the belt or by the sleeve;
• performing actions on the face or twisting the head or pressing it toward the mat;
• striking, kicking, or driving the head into the mat;
• applying standing or throwing submissions when the competition rules prohibit them;
• applying chokes or strangulation techniques;
• forcing or coercing the opponent in a prohibited manner.

Passivity may be penalized with penalty points. The exact scoring, age rules, and prohibited techniques may vary by federation or competition. Therefore, always check the current regulations of the organizing federation.

Self-defense sambo

Self-defense sambo focuses on safely stopping an armed or unarmed attack. The emphasis is on movement, control, escape, and using an attacker’s strength and aggression against them. This approach aligns with Spiridonov’s softer style and has similarities to jujitsu and aikido.

Historically, the techniques were also used in training programs for military personnel, police officers, security guards, and other professional groups. For modern practitioners, self-defense should always be taught under expert supervision and in a safe training environment.

Combat sambo

Combat sambo combines sambo’s throws and control techniques with striking. In addition to takedowns, locks, and ground work, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and other attacking techniques are used, depending on the ruleset. As a result, this variant requires broader preparation than sport sambo, with attention to distance, protection, conditioning, and safe ground work under pressure.

The variant was developed from military and professional applications and later evolved into an international competition format. Combat sambo uses a kurtka, shorts, and open-finger gloves. Headgear, a mouthguard, groinguard, and shin guards may be mandatory depending on the competition.

The difference at a glance

• Sport sambo - grappling, throws, ground control, and submissions without punches or kicks.
• Combat sambo - grappling and throws combined with permitted striking.
• Self-defense sambo - practical defense and control, not primarily focused on a sports score.

The rules and permitted techniques vary by federation. Therefore, always check the current competition rules before evaluating a variant as a competitive sport or training method.

Uniform and use of colour

A sambo practitioner wears a kurtka or sambovka, shorts and special sambo shoes. In competitions, one athlete wears red and the other blue. These colours make the participants visually recognisable and do not indicate a technical rank. The clothing is shorter and more closely fitted than a classic judogi and is designed for strong grips and fast throws.

Ranks without belts

Sambo has no coloured belts like judo. Some sports organisations do award competitive ranks, including Master of Sport, for high-level achievements or coaching contributions. The exact rank and recognition depend on the organisation awarding it.

International competitions

International sport sambo and combat sambo competitions are organised by various federations. FIAS plays an important role in international sambo competition, while national governing bodies and other organisations also organise events. Before taking part, always check which federation recognises the tournament and which rules apply.

The combination of recognisable competition clothing, clear variants and a strong international tradition makes sambo accessible to both recreational athletes and competitive fighters. The sport continues to develop, but its core remains the same: technique, control, timing and perseverance.