Today's SAMBO birthday

November 16, 1938 is officially recognized as the date when SAMBO was born because just on this day it was included by the Soviet Union in the State physical education system. From this date on SAMBO has begun its journey from a closed system of self-defense, used only in law-enforcement agencies, to a sports discipline recognizes and accepted worldwide. Today I would like to congratulate all members of the international SAMBO family - coaches, athletes, heads of federation and everyone else who is partial to SAMBO. I wish them inspiration, wisdom and endurance in our common journey. Vasiliy Shestakov, FIAS President