Victoria Cup Crowns Chile's SAMBO Squad

The “La Bandera” sports complex hosted the traditional Victoria Cup 2026 SAMBO tournament on May 9. More than 40 athletes took to the mat, competing for a place on Chile's national SAMBO team.

The tournament served as the final selection stage ahead of the upcoming Pan American SAMBO Championships in Costa Rica – meaning the stakes went far beyond a podium finish. Every match was a chance to earn the right to represent the country on the international stage.

“The name of the competition was chosen deliberately. For Chilean athletes, 'Victoria' is more than just a word – it is a philosophy. Victory here is understood as the result of character-building discipline and relentless daily work on the mat,” the Chilean National Sports Federation of SAMBO and Martial Arts said in a statement.

Athletes competed for spots on the national team in Sport SAMBO and Combat SAMBO across the men's weight categories of 64 kg, 71 kg, and 79 kg. Organizers made special note of the strong crowd of supporters – friends and family of the competitors – who filled the venue with energy and enthusiasm throughout the day.

“A particular reason for optimism is the successful debut of competitions in the cadet and youth categories. This reflects the steady development of SAMBO at various levels in Chile and signals the formation of a solid reserve for the national team,” the national federation added.

With the Victoria Cup concluded, Chile's national squad is officially set. Next up for the country's SAMBO athletes: the Pan American SAMBO Championships in Costa Rica.