Bigger than that: a Brand-New FIAS Athletes Commission Emerges

The elections of three new members of the International SAMBO Federation's Athletes Commission took place in Bishkek during the World Championships on November 7-9. Stepping into the spotlight with the most votes were Artem Osipenko of Russia, Wissal Ziane of Morocco, and Hosung Park of the Republic of Korea.

Every sambist competing in Bishkek had the power to influence this important decision, with each athlete selecting three representatives from a pool of 11 candidates. Based on the results of processing the ballots, it turned out that 41,5 % of the tournament participants voted.

But the news didn't end there! After thorough discussions and consultations, the FIAS Executive Committee made a landmark decision to expand the Athletes Commission. In line with the FIAS Athletes Commission Terms of Reference, the Commission will now grow to nine members to guarantee fair representation from every continent.

This means two more athletes will join the ranks: Layia West from New Zealand and Brad Flores from Honduras, who secured 4th and 5th places in the vote. Their inclusion marks a major step toward a more global, diverse, and powerful Athletes Commission.

Please welcome our new FIAS AC members:

Artem Osipenko

An Honoured Master of Sports, Artem began practicing SAMBO at the age of 10 – and today stands as a 10-time World SAMBO Champion, a legendary figure who needs almost no introduction. His immense professional and life experience, combined with the deep respect he commands within the global SAMBO community, will undoubtedly give additional strength and credibility to the Commission’s mission of supporting and empowering athletes. In recognition of his achievements, a martial arts palace in his hometown of Bryansk was named after him when it opened in August 2022.

Wissal Ziane

A multiple-time African Champion in SAMBO and Beach SAMBO, and a 2021 World Youth and Junior Championship bronze medallist. Wissal has proudly represented her country and continent and is dedicated to promoting respect, fairness, and inclusion within the sport.

With experience as both an athlete and a coach, she understands the needs of competitors as well as the organizational side of SAMBO. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Physical Education and Sport, Ziane hopes to help empower young athletes – particularly women – and contribute fresh, dynamic perspectives to the FIAS Athletes Commission.

Hosung Park

Park Hosung, a dedicated member of the Korean national SAMBO team, brings experience from the field and a strong commitment to serving as a bridge between athletes and leadership. Coming from a country where SAMBO is still developing, he deeply understands the challenges faced by athletes in less popular sports – from limited training environments to low public recognition and career instability.

Park aims to use his role on the Athletes Commission to advocate for better support, visibility, and respect for all SAMBO athletes, particularly those from emerging SAMBO nations. He is committed to promoting the value of the sport through social media, articles, and video messages, raising awareness and showing that SAMBO offers meaningful opportunities for athletes at every level.

Layia West

Although Layia West has become the youngest member of the current FIAS Athletes Commission, she is already an athlete deeply committed to both the practice and promotion of SAMBO, and she strongly believes in the importance of athlete representation within the sport. For her, this role is not just an honor – it is a responsibility.

Layia is passionate about athlete development and is dedicated to making SAMBO accessible and welcoming to all. Through her grassroots work in her local community, she has helped children and adults discover the sport, giving her insight into the challenges faced not only by elite athletes but also by beginners.

Brad Flores

Brad Flores joins the FIAS Athletes Commission with a strong commitment to SAMBO, aiming to ensure that athletes’ voices are heard and to serve as a reliable bridge between athletes and officials. With experience not only in SAMBO but also in other martial arts, he brings a broader understanding of combat sports and athlete development, contributing to the global expansion and recognition of SAMBO.

Brad is especially dedicated to growing SAMBO in Latin America. In Honduras, he has promoted the sport among young people and offered free SAMBO classes to children from low-income families, helping them develop discipline, values, and personal growth through sport.

The complete composition of the FIAS Athletes Commission, including the new members, is as follows:

- Ms. Sydney SY (PHI/Asia)

- Ms. Sacha BUWALDA (NED/Europe)

- Ms. Margarita BAZHAYEVA(KAZ/Asia)

- Mr. Seidou NJI MOULUH (CMR/Africa)             

- Mr. Artem OSIPENKO (RUS/Europe)

- Ms. Wissal ZIANE (MOR/Africa)

- Mr. Hosung PARK (KOR/Asia)

- Ms. Layia WEST (NZL/Oceania)

- Mr. Brad FLORES (HON/Pan America)

FIAS ATHLETE'S COMMISSION ON THE WEBSITE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SAMBO FEDERATION