SAMBO Included in the CISM 2026 Calendar: 1st Military SAMBO Challenge to Be Held in Luzhniki

SAMBO has been officially included in the calendar of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). Following the 80th CISM General Assembly held on May 17-23 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the CISM Executive Committee officially announced the decision to hold the first CISM SAMBO Championships for military personnel in 2026.

“Inclusion of SAMBO in the official CISM calendar is a landmark event. This decision by the Council reflects the recognition of SAMBO’s unique role in military training and sports. We see it as an important step toward the global recognition of SAMBO and its continued development within the international sports community,” noted Vasily Shestakov, President of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS).

According to CISM regulations, competitions in newly introduced military sports are given the official title “Military Challenge.” Accordingly, the first SAMBO tournament for military personnel will be called the 1st Military SAMBO Challenge. The tournament will be held at the International SAMBO Center in Luzhniki (Moscow, Russia).

It is worth recalling that in 2018, the International SAMBO Federation signed a cooperation agreement – a Memorandum of Understanding – with the International Military Sports Council. The signing ceremony took place in Bucharest during the World SAMBO Championships.