Sambo

Overview

What is Sambo?

Sambo is a combat sport whose name is an abbreviation of a Russian phrase meaning “self-defence without weapons”. In sport sambo, the branch's core discipline, athletes seek to gain the upper hand through throws, ground control (holds) and painful locking techniques; leg locks are permitted, while choking techniques are not part of this discipline. Combat sambo is a more comprehensive discipline practised with protective equipment which, in addition to these techniques, also includes strikes such as punches, kicks, knees and elbows, as well as chokes.

Internationally, the branch is governed by the International Sambo Federation (FIAS). Under the FIAS umbrella, competitions are held in women's and men's categories in the sport sambo, combat sambo and beach sambo disciplines, and world and continental championships are organised. FIAS received full recognition from the International Olympic Committee in 2021. As well as being a competitive sport, sambo is also practised as a form of self-defence training. In the senior category, competitions are held in seven weight classes each for men and women.

History

The foundations of sambo were laid in the Soviet Union in the 1920s through efforts to develop the close-combat skills of the army and security units. The branch was recognised as an official sport by a decision of the All-Union Sports Committee of the USSR on 16 November 1938. International organisation was achieved in 1985 with the founding of the International Amateur Sambo Federation (FIAS); the federation dropped the word “amateur” from its name in 2011. FIAS received provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee in 2018 and full recognition in 2021.

In Türkiye, by ministerial approval of the Ministry of Youth and Sports dated 27 May 2024, the sambo branch was attached as a sub-branch to the Turkish Federation of Developing Sports Branches, and a branch general coordinatorship was established within the Federation. Since then, Turkish championships, referee and coach training courses and national team activities in the branch have been conducted by the Federation.

Sport ProfileSambo

Branch General CoordinatorKadir Yusufoğlu

Origin: Soviet Union, 1920s (official recognition: 1938)
Disciplines: Sport sambo, combat sambo, beach sambo
Bout duration: 5 minutes for senior men; set by the rules for other categories
Competition area: Circular area on an 11 × 11 m mat
Weight classes: 7 men's and 7 women's weight classes for seniors
International federation: FIAS (1985)
Olympic recognition: Full IOC recognition, 2021

International Bodies

The Essentials

Basic Rules

For general information only; competitions are governed by the federation's current rulebook and regulations.

01
Total victory

The bout ends before time expires in the event of a clean throw, the opponent submitting to a painful lock, a lead of 8 points being reached, or the opponent withdrawing from the bout or being disqualified.
02
Scoring

Throws are scored 4, 2 or 1 points according to the position in which the opponent lands and whether the throwing athlete remains standing. Holding the opponent under control on the mat for a set time (a hold) also earns points.
03
Locks and chokes

In sport sambo, painful locks may be applied to the arm and leg joints, but choking techniques are not permitted. In combat sambo, strikes and chokes may also be used.
04
Bout duration

The bout duration for senior men is 5 minutes. For women and younger age categories, durations are set separately by the international rules.
05
Colour and corner

The athlete called first wears red and the opponent blue, and each takes their place in the corresponding corner.

Field and Equipment

Sambo jacket and beltAthletes wear a red or blue cotton sambo jacket with belt loops and a belt of the same colour.
Shorts and sambo shoesShorts of the same colour as the jacket and soft-soled sambo shoes without hard protrusions are worn. Female athletes wear a white T-shirt under the jacket.
MatBouts take place in a marked circular area on an 11 × 11 m mat at least 5 cm thick.
Combat sambo protectionIn combat sambo, a helmet, gloves, shin guards, a mouthguard and a groin guard (men) and chest protector (women) are used.

Age groups and weight classes may change with seasonal regulations; see the sport documents for current information.

Within Our Federation

Sambo in Türkiye

Since the sambo branch joined the Federation, Turkish championships have been held on a regular basis. The Juniors and Seniors Turkish Sambo Championship was held in Istanbul in April 2025, and the Youth, Juniors and Seniors Turkish Sambo Championship took place in April 2026 at the Istanbul Ata Sports Centre with strong participation.

To strengthen the technical base of the branch, Sambo Candidate Referee Courses were held in Istanbul in March 2025 and in Bursa in January 2026, and Sambo Level 1 Assistant Coach Training Courses in Istanbul in July 2025 and December 2025. As part of national team activities, preparation camps were held in Ankara ahead of the Junior World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2025 and the Senior World Championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in November 2025.

Activity Calendar Referees

Championships and leaguesNational championships and events across age categories
Referee and coach coursesCandidate referee, promotion and coaching courses
National team workPreparation camps for international events

Content is being prepared.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Key information on getting started in Sambo, licences, refereeing and coaching.

Have a question? 0312 310 21 42 bilgi@gosbf.org.tr

Who can take up sambo?

Sambo is a branch that anyone, female or male, can take up from childhood onwards. As competitions are organised by age and weight category, athletes face opponents at their own level; to get started, applying to a club active in the branch is recommended.

How is an athlete licence obtained?

The athlete licence is obtained via the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sports Information System (SBS) (sbs.gsb.gov.tr), through the club with which the athlete is registered.

How do I become a sambo referee?

You need to apply for one of the Sambo Candidate Referee Courses announced by the Federation and complete it successfully. Course dates, venues and application requirements are published on the Federation's website.

What should I do to become a sambo coach?

You can apply for the Sambo Level 1 Assistant Coach Training Course run by the Federation. Applications require a criminal record certificate and a Basic Training examination result or exemption certificate.