Girls love Sambo

By Jagoda Radojcic

Lana Kocarek is an average girl most people wouldn't turn around. But what they don't know while seeing her driving in bus or a tram in the evening is that she's hurrying to her Sambo training. Age of only 14, she's the youngest member of Zagreb Sambo club Crows.

But her height or demure face shouldn't fool you. She learned about Sambo training from boys in her school and decided to try. That was also first sport she has ever trained. She's sorry that so far she didn't have a chance to compete, but hopefully she'll have her chance soon.

„I like most about the Sambo the fact that you can take advantage of opponent’s moves. So far I was able to go regularly on training since my school was always in the morning, and hopefully I'll be able to continue with training when high school starts in September“, says Lana.

„Most of my friends are surprised, when I tell them that I'm training Sambo, because I'm tiny... but I think it would be really useful for more young people to train Sambo to have that self-awareness and to know how to handle some tricky situation“.

Lana have just signed up school for health-laboratory technician, and is still figuring out whether she'll go to medicine or become sports physiotherapist, which seems like an ideal combination, because it combines her two loves, sports and medicine.

For young people Sambo is great because it learns how to use and move their bodies effectively and confidently.

Children trained in Sambo develop tremendous skills and self-confidence which stays with them forever – helping them to succeed and grow, and better meet the challenges of life.

Although, Sambo training involves physical contact between opponents, our coaches are highly trained and experienced so injuries can be prevented. For a child training Sambo benefits are huge - improved social skills, discipline, and children improve their abilities to concentrate and focus on activities, as well as bettering their motor skills and self-defence.

The idea of Croatian Sambo federation is to more actively promote Sambo in Croatian schools because Sambo training focuses on a child’s motor and cognitive skills, defines positive body image, improves cognitive function, creates supportive kids with self-confidence and most important gives life skills such as focus, perseverance, dedication and motivation.

Lana encourages young girls to try training Sambo, because it's a great form of self-defense and getting in shape.  „You meet like-minded people and can work together towards common goals.  You also gain self-confidence.  And, it is fun to choke people and arm bar them. They respect you more after it“ - says Lana laughing.