Tajikistan Hosts Inaugural "Battle in the Mountains" Tournament

The picturesque Varzob Gorge provided a stunning backdrop for the inaugural international Сombat SAMBO tournament, "Battle in the Mountains." Held at the central stadium, surrounded by majestic peaks, the event served as a crucial preparatory stage for the upcoming World Cup, set to take place in Dushanbe this autumn.

Over three days of competition, medals were contested across seven weight categories and three age divisions. The mats saw a mix of experienced athletes and newcomers testing their skills in SAMBO. Among them was renowned MMA fighter Maruf Olimzoda, for whom this tournament marked a successful debut. He confidently won all his matches, securing three victories and claiming the gold medal.

"I'm thrilled my SAMBO debut was a success. This experience was special for me. I plan to compete for the national team in the future and make my family and friends proud more often," Olimzoda shared after his victory.

A particular highlight for spectators was a friendly "wall vs. wall" match between the national teams of Tajikistan and Iran. This format featured five fighters from each side in tense, gripping bouts, with the Tajikistani sambists ultimately emerging victorious.

"I trained seriously for this tournament. The energy and atmosphere here were electric and really motivated me; I'm glad I managed to win. As a native of Varzob, I couldn't afford to make a mistake, even though my opponent was very strong," said one of the match's winners, Tajik sambist Idibek Amirshoh.

The tournament drew large crowds of enthusiastic fans from nearby villages and the capital, who fervently supported the athletes. According to Zukhursho Nurmahmadzoda, President of the Tajikistan Sambo Federation, hosting summer competitions in the mountain region is a strategic choice that will be developed further.

"Summer tournaments in the mountains are viable, and we chose the Varzob Gorge for this purpose. This is where we identified our champions who will compete at the World SAMBO Cup in September," stated Nurmahmadzoda.

The successful performance of Tajikistani sambists on the international stage, including a recent two-medal haul at the World Cup in Armenia, is fueling the sport's growing popularity in the country. The first-ever World Cup in Sport and Combat SAMBO to be held in Tajikistan this September in Dushanbe stands as a logical continuation of this growth and a significant event for the global sambo community.