Novi Sad Ready to Host European Youth and Junior SAMBO Championships – Competition Begins Tomorrow

The Serbian city of Novi Sad is set to become the center of the European Youth and Junior SAMBO starting tomorrow, April 21, when the European Youth and Junior SAMBO Championships 2026 officially kicks off at the SPENS sports complex. The tournament is organized jointly by the European Sambo Federation (ESF) and the Sambo Federation of Serbia.

The competition programme spans three full days of action and covers a wide range of weight categories across Sport SAMBO and Combat SAMBO disciplines.

“One of the most significant aspects of this year's championship is the inclusion of Combat SAMBO in the junior men's division – a first for the European Youth and Junior Championships. The decision reflects the growing interest in the discipline and adds a new dimension to the competition at the continental level,” – was said in a statement of the European SAMBO Federation.

On April 21, the youngest participants take center stage: male youth athletes compete across eight weight categories (53, 58, 64, 71, 79, 88, 98 and over 98 kg), while female youth athletes contest seven (47, 50, 54, 59, 65, 72, 80 and over 80 kg).

April 22 brings the junior Sport SAMBO competition into full swing, with women in the 50, 59, 72 and over 80 kg categories and men in the 58, 71, 88 and over 98 kg categories battling for European titles. That same day also marks the start of Combat SAMBO for junior men, with the 64, 79 and 98 kg categories in action.

The championship concludes on April 23 with finals in the remaining junior divisions – women at 54, 65 and 80 kg, men at 64, 79 and 98 kg in Sport SAMBO, and men at 58, 71, 88 and over 98 kg in Combat SAMBO.

Participants must have competed no more than once per weight category per national team, and all athletes are required to hold a valid FIAS licence. Doping control will be conducted in accordance with WADA and FIAS Anti-Doping rules.

Beyond the medals, the Novi Sad championship offers a compelling look at the next generation of European SAMBO – athletes who in the coming years will be shaping the sport at both the continental and world level.