Alexander Pushnitsa Memorial Tournament Held in Chile

The Chilean SAMBO Federation organized the 3rd tournament dedicated to the memory of Alexander Pushnitsa.

On January 18, a new stage of the Chilean SAMBO Federation's competitive cycle “Chile SAMBO” took place at the José Miguel Carrera Sports Hall in Quinta Normal commune (Santiago Metropolitan Region). More than 30 athletes competed in the tournament.

Cuban sambist Malena Díaz, three-time Pan American champion and bronze medalist at the 2017 World SAMBO Championships in Sochi, attended the event. She conducted a masterclass for Chilean sambists.

Patricio Avendaño, the Sports Director of the Chilean SAMBO Federation, stated:

“Those of us who were fortunate enough to meet Master Pushnitsa at the World Championships in Sochi (Russia) in 2017 bear the responsibility of preserving his memory and legacy.”

Alexander Pushnitsa is the most titled Soviet sambist. He has three victories at the World Championships (1974, 1979, 1983), twice he won the World Cup (1977, 1980) and twice won the European Championships (1976, 1984). Pushnitsa nine times became the champion of the USSR (1974-1980, 1983, 1984). For 15 years he was the permanent captain of the Soviet Union SAMBO team.