New Year's Address from the FIAS President Vasily Shestakov

Dear colleagues, dear friends!

New Year 2024 is approaching! But while it has not yet arrived, let's remember the outgoing year, which became successful for our sport. And this is the merit of each of you who contributed to the development of the world SAMBO.

In 2023, 4 continental championships were held. Perhaps their main feature was the inclusion of a new discipline in the program – Combat SAMBO among women. And within the framework of the Asia and Oceania Championships, the Opening Championships for the blind and visually impaired was organized for the first time, which added the impressions for both participants and spectators.

In the past year, the FIAS calendar was replenished with two World Cups.

Also in 2023, a new international SAMBO tournament was held for the prizes of the President of the Olympic Committee of Armenia Gagik Tsarukyan, which was remembered by the athletes not only for its bright fights, but also for its substantial prize fund. I hope this tournament will become an annual event.

The World Beach SAMBO Championships took place in the city of Juan Dolio (Dominican Republic), the World Youth and Junior Championships took place in Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic), and the World Championships took place in Yerevan (Armenia). The main tournament of the FIAS calendar became a truly grandiose event for all participants and spectators. By organizing such a large-scale and colorful event, the SAMBO Federation of Armenia has set a new, higher bar for the conduct and organization of competitions.

One of the main achievements of the outgoing year can also be considered the inclusion of SAMBO in the program of the World Combat Games, held on October 20-21 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Competitions were held in Sport SAMBO and Combat SAMBO among both men and women, as well as in SAMBO for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Next year, all SAMBO fans will be able to see our sport as a demonstration sport in the program of the XIII African Games, which will be held in Accra (Ghana). Another important event for all of us will be the participation of SAMBO in the program of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand. The decision taken this year to return SAMBO to the big stage of the World Games, which will be held in Chengdu (China) in 2025, can also be considered a great achievement.

The upcoming 2024 will be a busy and truly exciting year for all fans of our sport.

In the New Year I want to wish you bright and unforgettable emotions. May all your dreams and aspirations come true, may all the good things in your life be preserved and may the moments of joy, love and optimism increase. I wish you luck, success and inspiration to be faithful companions in all your endeavors, and health and prosperity in your daily life!

Happy New Year 2024!