Shokhrukh NAZAROV: “I want to win a gold medal at the World SAMBO Championships!”

Tajikistan’s Shokhrukh Nazarov claimed the gold medal in the 79 kg weight category in the Blind SAMBO discipline (SVI-1 – totally blind) at the 2025 Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships. In an interview for the FIAS website, Shohrukh shared who helped him prepare for the tournament, who introduced him to SAMBO, and what motivates him to keep moving forward.

Shokhrukh, you became the gold medalist at the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships in Tashkent. What did you feel standing on the podium while your national anthem played in honor of your victory?

– It’s an incredible feeling that words can’t describe. I waited for this moment for 15 years – since I first stepped into the training hall! Of course, I already had podium finishes at major international SAMBO tournaments – third place, second place – but the gold is a special medal!

How did you get into martial arts in the first place?

– My father took me to my first training session. He practiced SAMBO while serving in the army during the Soviet Union era. He was never a professional, but he’s always loved SAMBO with all his heart and still does. I was inspired by his stories and wanted to try it myself.

Weren’t you afraid to practice martial arts considering your vision impairment?

– Surprisingly, I’ve never felt fear. Even after I once got injured, I wasn’t scared – instead, it made me stronger. I decided I wouldn’t give up and kept training and competing actively. My family gave me great support, which made it easier to move forward.

How did your family support you?

– My mother took care of me, and my father always motivated me. He told me he believed in me and that I would definitely become a champion. It was thanks to his support that I set my goal – to win a gold medal at a major international SAMBO tournament. Even when things didn’t go well, he was always there for me because he understands this sport from the inside.

Let’s talk about the Tashkent tournament. In his interview for the FIAS website, your final opponent, Mark Trompp from Australia, said you “packed him in a suitcase and sent him home.” How would you describe that final match?

– I put in a huge amount of effort to win that match. Before the Asia and Oceania Championships, I joined a training camp with sighted professional athletes – top SAMBO and judo competitors from Tajikistan. We trained long and hard, twice a day with very demanding sessions, so I was 100% ready to win.

What kind of relationship did you build with those athletes?

– A brotherly one. We talked a lot, became friends. They helped me run cross-country, guided me during movements, and of course, shared techniques and nuances of grappling on the mat. They knew I would be the only blind SAMBO representative from Tajikistan at the championship in Tashkent, so they supported me in every possible way.

Looking back, you already have a bronze from the World Championships and a silver from the first Open Asia and Oceania Blind SAMBO Championships. How do you see your progress as an athlete over the years?

– At all those tournaments, I only lost to one opponent – Viktor Rudenko. I won all my other matches by early victories. Viktor turned out to be my most challenging and principled rival.

Have you figured out how to beat him next time?

– If we meet again at the World Championships, I’ll do everything I can to win. By the way, Viktor and I, along with many other athletes who competed at the World Championships in Astana, keep in touch – we call, chat, and share updates. We’re rivals only on the mat; outside of competition, we’re friends.

How does a blind athlete train to feel, rather than see, their opponent?

– So much depends on the coach who guides me. My personal coach, Sayridin Shoev, is not just my mentor, but also my friend. We’re the same age, from the same village, used to train together, and stayed in touch – he eventually became my coach. He played a huge role in my victory.

Is everyone in your village aware of your SAMBO achievements?

– Of course, everyone knows. When I returned from Tashkent, they welcomed me and congratulated me. I posted a video of the moment on social media, and it got over 100,000 views. That means a lot to me.

In your opinion, what does Blind SAMBO give athletes beyond physical fitness?

– For me, it’s a chance to represent Tajikistan with honor in different countries. When I step onto the mat at international competitions, people see me first and foremost as a representative of my country. I feel a great sense of responsibility – but also great joy when I win.

Does SAMBO help you in everyday life?

– SAMBO gives me confidence in myself and my abilities. Thanks to this sport, I’m in tune with my body and always full of energy. I train twice a day – it keeps me disciplined and on track, because skipping training isn’t an option. To everyone wondering whether they should take up SAMBO or sports in general, I want to say: make it a part of your life, regardless of whether you have a vision impairment or not.

What’s your current goal?

– My main goal is to become a world champion. I have six months to prepare, so I’ll continue training as before – twice a day, morning and evening. Thanks to my achievements, I’ve already become an International Class Master of Sports, but I want to reach the top: to win the gold medal at the World SAMBO Championships!