FIAS Backs Adaptive SAMBO Research Project for Children with Autism

A team of young scientists from Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov has taken second place at the international academic forum “Medical Spring – 2026” with a study on the impact of adaptive SAMBO on the development of children with autism spectrum disorders. The International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) supported the team throughout the project – and their success speaks volumes about the transformative potential of our sport as a tool for rehabilitation and social inclusion.

The team from the Medical Academy of Kabardino-Balkarian State University claimed second place in the Clinical Psychology section with their project “Evaluating the Impact of an Original Adaptive SAMBO Program on the Social, Communicative, and Motor Development of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)”. The research formed the basis of a practical methodological guide on adaptive SAMBO for children with ASD – a hands-on resource with the potential to make a real difference in the lives of children with special needs across the country.

Science in Service of SAMBO

The five sixth-year medical students behind the project brought both academic rigor and genuine passion to their work. Every element of their program is grounded in clear therapeutic reasoning: grappling techniques help children build tactile tolerance, while partner drills teach them to trust and cooperate with others. Here, SAMBO is not simply a sport – it is a carefully structured therapeutic pathway.

Crucially, the authors of the guide are themselves active coaches and methodologists within the SAMBO Federation of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. It is precisely this combination of medical expertise and real-world coaching experience that gives the program its practical strength and credibility.

FIAS: From Support to Scale

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov backed the team at every stage of the project. At his initiative, the young researchers were invited on a tour of the International SAMBO Centre, where they saw firsthand the full range of facilities and training infrastructure available for adaptive SAMBO. During the visit, both sides explored opportunities for future collaboration and discussed ways to expand the project's reach.

“The International SAMBO Federation is committed to developing adaptive SAMBO as a vehicle for social rehabilitation and inclusion. This support is not a one-off gesture – it reflects FIAS's long-standing belief that high-performance sport must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical or developmental background,” said Vasily Shestakov.

SAMBO as a Bridge to the World

“The core idea behind our program is that sport can be a bridge to the world for children with autism,” said project lead Batyrбек Nazran. The team is already planning to launch pilot groups in Nalchik and roll the initiative out to other regions.

“FIAS will continue to champion initiatives like this one. Adaptive SAMBO is not a niche program 'for special cases' – it is an expression of the core values that define our sport: respect, mutual support, and an unshakeable belief in the potential of every human being,” the FIAS President added.

It is worth noting that in 2025, the International SAMBO Federation was granted recognition by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as a Recognised International Federation – an acknowledgment of FIAS's ongoing work in developing SAMBO for blind and visually impaired athletes.