Sambo

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Subject classification: this is a sports resource .

Sambo (in Russian=ˈsambə from САМозащита Без Оружия) is a Russian martial arts and combat sport.^[1][2] The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand-to-hand combat abilities.^[1] Intended to be a merger of the most effective techniques of other martial arts, Sambo has roots in Japanese judo, international styles of wrestling, plus traditional folk styles of wrestling.

The pioneers of Sambo were Viktor Spiridonov and Vasili Oshchepkov. Oshchepkov died in prison as a result of the political purges of 1937 after accusations of being a Japanese spy.^[3] Oshchepkov spent much of his life living in Japan and training judo under its founder Kano Jigoro. The two men independently developed two different styles, which eventually cross-pollinated and became what is known as Sambo. Compared to Oshchepkov's judo-based system, then called "Freestyle Wrestling", Spiridonov's style was softer and less strength dependent. This was in large part due to Spiridonov's injuries sustained during World War I.^[4]

Anatoly Kharlampiev, a student of Vasili Oshchepkov, is often considered the founder of Sport Sambo. In 1938, it was recognized as an official sport by the USSR All-Union Sports Committee.^[3]

An ankle-lock submission being performed in a Sport Sambo match in the United States.

Styles

There are three FIAS recognized competitive sport variations of Sambo (though Sambo techniques and principles can be applied to many other combat sports).^[5]

• Sport Sambo (or Bor'ba Sambo, Sambo Wrestling (eng)) is stylistically similar to Olympic Freestyle Wrestling or Judo, but with some differences in rules, protocol, and uniform. For example, in contrast with judo, Sambo allows some types of leg locks, while not allowing chokeholds. It focuses on throwing, ground work and submissions, with (compared to Judo) very few restrictions on gripping and holds.^[6]
• Combat Sambo (or Boyevoye Sambo) was utilized and developed for the military. Combat Sambo resembles modern mixed martial arts, including extensive forms of striking and grappling. Combat Sambo allows punches, kicks, elbows, knees, headbutts and groin strikes.^[7] Competitors wear jackets as in sport sambo, but also hand protection and sometimes shin and head protection. The first FIAS World Combat Sambo Championships were held in 2001.
• Freestyle Sambo – uniquely American set of competitive Sambo rules created by the American Sambo Association (ASA) in 2004. These rules differ from traditional Sport Sambo in that they allow choke holds and other submissions.^[8]

Uniform and ranking

A Sambo practitioner normally wears either a red or a blue jacket similar to a gi top, a belt and shorts of the same color, and Sambo wrestling shoes. The Sambo uniform does not reflect rank or competitive rating. Sport rules require an athlete to have both red and blue sets to visually distinguish competitors on the mat.

In Russia, a competitive rating system is used rather than belt colors like judo and jujutsu to demonstrate rank, though some schools around the world now institute belt colors as well. The rating system is called Unified Sports Classification System of the USSR, with the highest athletic distinction known as the Distinguished Masters of Sport in Sambo.

Examination requirements vary depending on the age group and can vary from country to country. The examination itself includes competitive accomplishment as well as technical demonstration of knowledge. Higher-level exams must be supervised by independent judges from a national Sambo association. For a rating to be recognized, it must be registered with the national Sambo organization.

All sport practitioners are promoted by 'razryad'. Each rank consists of three razryads, the 1st being the highest.^[9][10]

Sources

• FILA Sombo Rules – May 2006
• Sombo – A Style of Wrestling
• Creation of Sambo – by Michail Lukashev, first published in Physical Culture and Sport magazine N9-10/91.
• Classical SAMBO – with many examples and pictures.
• About Sombo – Sambo overview at AnyMartialArt.org
• CST Magazine Interview with Steve Koepfer from the American Sambo Association – information about combat and freestyle Sambo.
• New York Times Article and Video covering the history of Sambo – published July 19, 2008.
• LA Talk Radio's Kip Brown discusses Sambo on In The Can – Aired September 13, 2008.
• G4 Network's Attack of the Show covers Sambo Aired October 1, 2008.
• Russia Today covers the 70th Anniversary of Sambo on YouTube – Aired October 22, 2008
• Slate.com covers Sambo training in Russia, the 2008 FIAS World Championships, and Fedor Emilianenko – published February 23–27, 2009
• Injury shake up unearths political controversy at USA SAMBO Open Published May 3, 2010

External links

Organizations

• International Federation of Amateur Sambo
• Asian SAMBO Federation
• European Sambo Federation
• American Sambo Association
• British Sambo Federation
• Sambo Canada
• Sambo Australia
• Japan Sambo Federation
• United States Combat SAMBO Association
• Combat Sambo Federation of Ukraine
• Commonwealth Sambo Association

Others

• Listing on US and international sambo schools, practitioners, and organizations
• RMAX Sambo Video Clips, Articles and Technique Tutorials
• Photoalbum (SAMBO, information database) | ru
• Made in Russia: Sambo

Footnotes

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