Lily HOUBEN: “I Enjoy Practicing SAMBO”

New Zealand athlete Lilly Houben won the gold medal at the Cadet, Youth and Junior Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) in the over 80 kg weight category in women’s Sport SAMBO among juniors. After the award ceremony, she shared her emotions with the FIAS website.

Lilly, tell us how you feel after this victory!

– I’m really happy! I used to do jiu-jitsu, but then I decided to try SAMBO. It gave me a real emotional boost, and I saw new opportunities – so now I’m switching to SAMBO.

You defeated two opponents, one of whom was competing at home with strong crowd support. What helped you come out on top?

– Probably my training. And I truly enjoy this sport – both the training and the competition. I think that’s the real secret to success.

Did you have a plan for the final match?

– No, I just did what I felt in the moment – what was in my head. I went with what felt natural at that particular time. And it worked!

Was the technique you used your signature move?

– Yes, it was.

In both matches or just the final?

– In both. I managed to get to the ground and apply a submission.

You defeated athletes from countries known for their strong ground-fighting traditions. And let’s not forget that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are former Soviet republics – the birthplace of SAMBO. What was it like to face such opponents?

– I knew they were strong, but honestly, I didn’t think about that. I just stepped on the mat and did my job.

Not even a hint of nerves?

– Not at all.

Is jiu-jitsu your main background, or have you practiced other martial arts as well?

– To be honest, our academy offers a wide range of combat sports, so I do jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and grappling. When SAMBO was introduced at our school, I decided to give it a try – and I wasn’t wrong. SAMBO drew me in with its variety of techniques, and it suited both my physiology and my spirit.

I heard you had a five-day training camp in Uzbekistan before the competition. Did that influence your mindset and ultimately help you win?

– Yes, the five-day training sessions helped a lot. Thanks to that camp, I got to see the level of the athletes and I knew what to prepare for – both technically and mentally.

So you actually saw your future opponents in action and had an idea of what to expect?

– Yes, and I also noticed that the training level was much higher than what we have at home – especially in terms of physical conditioning. After that, I decided to bring that approach back home and implement it.

Was the acclimatization difficult?

– It wasn’t so much the travel to Tashkent or the time zone change – it was adjusting to the new rules. That was a lot more serious. You have to figure out all the nuances. When you’re on the mat, you’re not just fighting – you’re constantly thinking about how to stay within the rules.

Thanks to your victory, the New Zealand national anthem was played at the Uzbekistan Sports Complex. What did that mean to you, and how did you feel in that historic moment?

– That feeling is impossible to describe – it was absolutely unforgettable. Hearing my country’s anthem at an international competition was one of my biggest dreams. It came true, and I can now proudly check it off my list of goals.