Sofia ISTOMINA: “In Chengdu, I Took My Revenge and Won Gold”

For Sofia Istomina, the Combat SAMBO tournament at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu was not only a chance to make history in her beloved sport, but also an opportunity to take revenge on a long-time rival. She succeeded on both counts, claiming victory in the women’s under 65 kg weight category.

“It was a long day. The breaks between bouts felt endless, so by the time I reached the final, I was almost out of emotions. The decisive match was the toughest mentally, but I’m grateful everything turned out the way it did. In the semifinal, I had to face Israel’s Nili Block for a rematch after my recent loss to her at the World Cup in Armenia. Honestly, I think I left most of my emotions in that bout. I had to keep reminding myself: ‘Sofia, the final is still ahead – focus,’” she recalls.

Istomina’s semifinal opponent was considered one of the main contenders for gold. “I thought we’d be placed in separate brackets, but we ended up in the same group. So I had to fight for a spot in the final head-to-head. That gave me even more motivation and determination,” says Istomina.

That match, according to Sofia, reaffirmed her belief that in Combat SAMBO, grappling can change the course of any fight: “It’s a fact – grappling beats striking.”

The significance of competing at The World Games hit her even before she stepped on the mat. “From the moment we arrived in Chengdu, it was clear that this event was organized at a very high level. Everything was serious – and I knew I had to approach it with the same mindset. I had been preparing for a long time, dreaming of this moment, and now here I am, holding a gold medal,” she says.

For Sofia, this victory is not just a professional milestone, but also a personal triumph. “It’s definitely one of my biggest achievements – especially with a semifinal where I needed revenge, and a final where there was no room to relax,” she notes.

After such an intense competition, her celebration plans are simple: spending time with family. “My mom with my stepfather came to me, so tomorrow we’ll go shopping together. Then I’ll finally head home – it’s been more than six months since I was last there. I’ll meet with my loved ones and celebrate,” Istomina smiles.