Roman SHAKIROV: “Our goal is the first place at The World Games 2025”

The Uzbekistan national SAMBO team is actively preparing for The World Games 2025, which will take place in Chengdu, China, on August. In an interview with the FIAS website, head coach Roman Shakirov spoke about the team’s preparation, the development of women’s Combat SAMBO, and the importance of multisport events for the growth of the discipline.

Training: Camps, Mountains, and Maximum Motivation

“Preparation is in full swing,” Shakirov says. “We held intensive training camps in the Tashkent region, and earlier, one of the key preparation stages was the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships, where our athletes showed solid results. Right now, some athletes are training locally, while others are working at altitude in the mountains of Chimgan. Training in these high-altitude conditions significantly boosts physical fitness.”

As a result of a rigorous qualification process, eight athletes will represent Uzbekistan at the Games – five women and three men.

“These are strong, highly competitive athletes,” noted Shakirov. “The team is fully motivated, and we aim to deliver strong results, with the goal of finishing at least in the top three in the team standings.”

Women’s Combat SAMBO and the Path to Success

Uzbekistan’s women’s team has already built a strong reputation in Сombat SAMBO. Among the top athletes heading to Chengdu is world champion Shakhzoda Azatova. Alongside her, head coach Shakirov highlighted Gursilar Khurakova as another medal hopeful, but emphasized that every member of the women’s squad has a chance to fight for the top spots.

“Women’s Combat SAMBO is developing actively in our country – there are no barriers to participation,” he said. “Some of our girls even choose to wear headscarves at domestic tournaments, and that doesn’t prevent them from competing at a high level. The women’s team is guided by our senior coach, Ekaterina Bliznetsova, who does outstanding work.”

When it comes to transitioning from Sport SAMBO to Combat SAMBO, Shakirov notes that it all depends on the athlete’s mindset and aptitude.

“We offer Combat SAMBO to those who perform well in Sport SAMBO but, for various reasons, don’t make the main squad,” he explained. “If a girl is motivated, we teach striking techniques and polish her skills. With the right attitude, it’s absolutely possible to prepare a competitive fighter in six months. But without the will – no training method will work.”

Shakirov also pointed out that women’s Combat SAMBO is gaining momentum in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Mongolia.

“This strengthens the level of competition and provides our athletes with strong opponents,” he added.

Rivalry and Goals in Chengdu

The Uzbekistan team has set ambitious targets for the World Games, both in individual and team events.

“Our minimum goal is a top-three finish; ideally, we’re aiming for the first place,” Roman Shakirov said. “We expect tough opponents and an intense level of competition – possibly even tougher than at the World Championships. Our priority right now is to approach the tournament without injuries.”

The Importance of the World Games for SAMBO

Shakirov expressed his full support for SAMBO’s inclusion in the World Games, highlighting the significance of multisport events for the sport’s global growth.

“Having SAMBO on the program of the World Games is a huge step forward,” he emphasized. “These kinds of tournaments increase the sport’s visibility. In Uzbekistan, events like this are sometimes regarded as even more important than World Championships. It’s a meaningful step toward SAMBO’s Olympic future.”

In conclusion, Roman Shakirov thanked the leadership of the Uzbekistan SAMBO Association and the Ministry of Sports for their continued support and expressed confidence that the national team will proudly represent their country in Chengdu.