World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships 2026 Draws a Record Number of Countries to Thessaloniki

The World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships 2026 opened on October 2 in Thessaloniki, Greece, at PAOK Sports Arena. FIAS President Vasily Shestakov addressed the athletes with a welcoming speech, announcing that this year's tournament has drawn a record number of participating countries in FIAS history.

“Over the course of three days, 713 athletes from 40 countries will step onto the mats of PAOK Sports Arena to compete for the title of the strongest athletes on the planet. 40 participating countries is an absolute record for this tournament in the entire history of FIAS,” said the FIAS president.

The competition program includes Sport SAMBO among Cadets (boys and girls), Youth (men and women) and Juniors (men and women), as well as Combat SAMBO among Juniors (men). In total, 55 sets of medals will be awarded at the tournament.

“For many of you, this World Championships will be an important step in your sporting career. 55 sets of medals will be awarded here, and each one will be the result of hard work, discipline and strength of character,” said Vasily Shestakov, addressing the young athletes.

The FIAS president also highlighted the symbolic significance of hosting the tournament in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

“Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the spirit of fair competition. It is symbolic that the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships are being held here, in Thessaloniki. This is not just a tournament, it is a dialogue of cultures through sport, and the best ambassadors of this dialogue are you – the young SAMBO athletes,” he said.

The World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships will run through October 4. Live broadcast of all tournament bouts is available on the video portal www.sambo.live.