Cyprus Open 2026: Larnaca Brings Together SAMBO Athletes from Different Countries

From February 6 to 8, the Cypriot city of Larnaca hosted the Cyprus Open 2026 international SAMBO tournament. A fixture on the European competitive calendar, the event once again drew athletes from ten countries across all age categories.

One of the tournament's standout highlights was a dedicated referee seminar held as part of the international referee certification programme. The session was led by Ivan Netov, Chair of the Referee Commission of the European SAMBO Federation. Participants worked through the latest updates to competition rules and explored key aspects of officiating at the international level. Those who successfully complete the program will receive official qualification certificates.

According to the organizing committee, the Cyprus Open is more than a medal chase – it is a platform where athletic competition and professional development go hand in hand. The inclusion of educational events for referees reflects the organizers' long-term commitment to growing SAMBO as a sport.

The competition week wrapped up with an open training camp available to all athletes in attendance. Joint training sessions and sparring gave competitors from different countries the chance to sharpen their skills while forging lasting connections within the global SAMBO community.