Dutch Open SAMBO Championship Draws Record Number of Participants

The Dutch Open SAMBO Championship took place on March 8 in the city of Dalfsen, attracting athletes from 23 countries. The competition featured participants across various age groups, ranging from young beginners taking their first steps in SAMBO to experienced adult athletes and masters (veterans).

The event was hosted at the Trefkoele Plus arena. This tournament has traditionally gathered European SAMBO athletes, as well as representatives from other martial arts who wish to test their skills in SAMBO. According to the Dutch SAMBO Federation, the number of participants has been steadily increasing each year. In 2023, 220 athletes competed for medals; in 2024, the number rose to 275. In 2025, the tournament saw an impressive 330 competitors from various countries.

"We witnessed not only an increase in the number of participants but also a significant improvement in the athletes' skill levels. Additionally, we had to expand the number of mats to accommodate all competitors and ensure that all matches could take place on schedule. The atmosphere in the arena was absolutely electrifying, with spectators enjoying a series of incredible bouts in both Sport and Combat SAMBO," stated representatives of the Dutch SAMBO Federation.

One of the key innovations highlighted by the organizing committee was the debut of women's Combat SAMBO competitions at this year's tournament. Fittingly, these matches took place on International Women's Day.

Among those who delivered outstanding performances at the Dutch Open, the organizers recognized athletes from Morocco, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Romania, Iceland, Ireland, Moldova, the Philippines, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other nations that made it to the podium.

"We are confident that next year's competition will be even more successful. The Dutch Open has become not only a significant annual tournament but also a platform for forging new connections and friendships among athletes from different countries. We see that SAMBO is growing in Western Europe, and the skill level of competitors continues to rise with each edition of the tournament," emphasized representatives of the Dutch SAMBO Federation.