FIAS Digest: Reward for Yamashita, Austrian and Turkish Seminars, as well as Belarusian Synthesis of Sambo and Hockey

Which of the Japanese was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship? Who prepares Austrian athletes for the World and European Sambo Championships? What is the vector of development in the Turkish Sport and Combat Sambo Federation? How did hockey and Sambo become intertwined in Belarus? Answers to these and other questions are in the digest of the FIAS website.

Japan

The Russian Order of Friendship was awarded to vice-chancellor of the Tokai University (Japan), Vice-President of the All-Japan Judo Federation Yasuhiro Yamashita. The ceremony was held at the Russian Embassy in Japan. The Decree on conferring state awards to foreign nationals "for great contribution to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation, the development of scientific and cultural relations" was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 13 this year.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Japan Yevgeny Afanasyev handed the award to Mr. Yamashita. "With his achievements Mr. Yamashita glorified Japan worldwide, and with his personal example he stirred the enthusiasm of thousands of beginners, - the Ambassador said. - As a true judo athlete he has not only conquered the top of sportsmanship, but also helps others to do this."

We would like to remind you that Mr. Yamashita is actively involved in promoting Sambo, the Russian national sport, in Japan. In particular, for the first time he trained a team of Japanese Sambo athletes for the Universiade in Kazan in 2013. The honour of the Land of the Rising Sun there was defended by seven people who have won a total of three medals, including a gold one. Mr. Yamashita also facilitated the organisation of the Russian-Japanese exchanges in the field of martial arts, which is being held in Japan.

Austria

On April 5 a Combat Sambo seminar was held in the basic club of the Austrian Sambo Federation located in Linz. The classes were supervised by 2001 Russian Sambo Champion, current coach Vyacheslav Goncharov. The event was attended by not only Sambo athletes from the club in Linz, but by their colleagues from the sports club in Salzburg. These two clubs are the base for the formation of the Austrian national team. So, thanks to the seminar the athletes had additional training to prepare for the biggest events – the European and World Championships.

According to President of the Austrian Sambo Federation Svetlana Neubauer-Sokolik, in the near future her institute plans to organise the Wings of Victory Tournament dedicated to the Victory Day to be held in early May. You will find the information about this event on the FIAS website.

Turkey

Seminars for Sambo athletes were also held in Turkey. Mubariz Ibragimov acted as an instructor in the cities of Istanbul and Bursa. Dozens of athletes participated in training activities, where they could learn the secrets of a beautiful and effective struggle in standing and referee's positions.

Meanwhile, the management of the Turkish Sport and Combat Sambo Federation held official meetings. President of the Sambo Federation Gadir Mammadov met with Deputy Governor of Istanbul Hayrullah Sahin to discuss the topical issues of Sambo development in Turkey's largest city. In addition, the Head of the Sambo Federation negotiated with Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Suleyman Sahin, where he shared the achievements of Turkish Sambo and enlisted the support of the Ministry in further work.

Belarus

I International Educational Forum “European Quality Education” was held in Minsk on April 8-10. FIAS Sports Director Dmitry Maximov attended the event and made a report on the Social adaptation of athletes after the athletic career. The report was such a success that journalists of the main news agency of the country - BELTA - invited Dmitry Maximov to participate in an online conference. Sports experts and journalists discussed various issues from the sports world and shared their views on the most burning issues. They also discussed the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship to be held in Belarus very soon.

"I would like to visit the 2014 World Championship in Minsk very much, but unfortunately this is impossible due to busy work schedule. However, I will watch sports battles on TV, and of course, support my favourite players," - Dmitry Maximov said.