Coaches' Seminar for SAMBO Wraps Up in Alajuela

The two-day continental coaches' seminar in Alajuela, Costa Rica concludes with exams today, July 7 – a traditional lead-up event to the Pan American SAMBO Championships. Fourteen specialists from across the continent took part, with the seminar led by FIAS Technical Commission member Mikhail Kozitsky.

According to Kozitsky, the seminar brought together participants of vastly different backgrounds – from beginning coaches working with children to active professional athletes seeking to upgrade their qualifications. Among the participants were multiple Pan American champions with lots of continental titles between them.

Kozitsky noted that certified SAMBO coaches are in demand in nearly every country across the region, which is why the seminars attract both those just starting out on the coaching path and experienced athletes looking to earn official certification.

The group's size – ideal for this kind of event – allowed for close, hands-on work with each participant. Kozitsky highlighted the strong level of preparation across the group: "Both mentally and technically, the participants are very well prepared. I think they've put in a lot of work and are focused on passing the exam, even though some of them have tried to get certified before without success."

Over the two days, coaches attended theoretical sessions on the classification of SAMBO techniques alongside practical training in standing and ground fighting. But as Kozitsky pointed out, the seminar's program goes well beyond basic technique.

Particular attention was given to preparing coaches to work with beginner athletes – including fall-breaking (self-protection) technique and safety during training. The program also covered athletes' psychological preparation, weight-cutting, and competition preparation – topics Kozitsky believes every coach should know, even those working exclusively with newcomers.

At the end of the seminar, participants sit an exam: those who pass will earn a first-level coaching qualification, while the rest will receive certificates of participation.

The coaches' seminar served as a prologue to the main event – the Pan American SAMBO Championships, taking place in Alajuela from July 9 to 11. Follow the continent's strongest athletes live at www.sambo.live.