FIAS at the IPC Classification Meeting

Representatives of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) took part for the first time in the Annual Classification Meeting of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). From October 23 to 25, the FIAS delegation worked in Bonn alongside leading international para sport organizations.

FIAS was represented by Natalia Novikova, FIAS Head of Classification, and Alexander Korsik, FIAS Development Director. For both, it was not only their debut within the global Paralympic community but also a deep dive into the system that shapes the future of para sport worldwide.

“Classification is the central nervous system of the Paralympic Movement,” explained Natalia Novikova. “Without classification, there is no para sport. That’s why, from the very beginning of developing SAMBO for athletes with visual impairments, this issue has been and remains one of our top priorities.”

The classification system is what ensures fairness and equality in para sports. It groups athletes into classes to minimize the impact of their physical impairments on competition outcomes. As a result, the winner is determined by skill and performance, not by the degree of disability.

Imagine two visually impaired SAMBO athletes stepping onto the mat: one is completely blind, while the other can distinguish light and shadows. Without proper classification, this would be an uneven contest. The classification system guarantees that every bout is fair.

On January 1, 2025, the new IPC Classification Code came into effect, requiring all international federations to undertake significant work to adapt their rules and processes accordingly.

“We are actively implementing the necessary updates to our regulations and systems,” noted Novikova. “And we will continue our efforts to ensure that SAMBO for Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes takes its rightful place within the Paralympic Movement.”

FIAS’s participation in the IPC Classification Meeting became possible following the federation’s official recognition by the International Paralympic Committee as an IPC Recognized International Federation.

FIAS is now among only 15 sports federations worldwide with this status – a distinction that is more than symbolic. It represents a key step toward SAMBO’s Paralympic future. Only federations holding IPC International Federation or IPC Recognized International Federation status are eligible to apply for the inclusion of their para sport discipline in the Paralympic Games program.