Viktor RUDENKO: "SAMBO Builds Confidence and Helps Achieve Goals"

At the 2024 World SAMBO Championships in Kazakhstan, where medals in Blind SAMBO competitions were awarded for the first time, Viktor Rudenko made history by becoming the first-ever world champion in the under-79 kg weight category in this discipline. A year earlier, he had already etched his name in history by winning the first-ever international Blind SAMBO tournament under the auspices of FIAS — the Open Asia and Oceania Championships. His achievements also include a bronze medal from the 2023 World Combat Games in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with the FIAS website, the titled athlete shared his thoughts on life goals, motivation in sports, and the development of Blind SAMBO as a discipline.

Viktor, do you remember what motivated you to take up sports as a child?

– I trained in a gym where people of all ages worked out — from the youngest children to veterans. I always wanted to progress — to move from the junior group to the intermediate, and then to the senior group. Once I reached the senior level, I stopped climbing. Another powerful source of motivation for me was the legendary wrestler Alexander Karelin — I greatly admired him.

What keeps you motivated now to continue training and competing?

– Myself. I pursue my goals because I know why I need them. That makes it easy to push myself even when I lack energy for training or feel tempted to slack off.

You first won the Open Asia and Oceania Championships in Blind SAMBO, and then the historic World SAMBO Championships in the same discipline. What were your emotions after these victories?

– Before both events, I wasn’t entirely sure I could win. Of course, I aimed for the best result, and my coach and I prepared step by step for each tournament. Anything can happen in competition, and the mat does not forgive mistakes. That’s why it was crucial to climb the ladder step by step, steadily moving toward the top.

After winning the World Championships, you met with the President of the International SAMBO Federation, Vasily Shestakov. During your conversation, you emphasized the importance of holding Blind SAMBO competitions within the overall championship, alongside other disciplines…

– First and foremost, I want to thank the FIAS President for his tremendous contribution to the development of Blind SAMBO. Vasily Borisovich supported the initiative of FIAS Athletes with Disabilities Commission Chairman Roman Novikov, ensuring that blind sambists competed at the World Championships on equal terms with all other athletes. Meeting the President of the International SAMBO Federation as the first-ever world champion in Blind SAMBO was a great honor for me.

As for the competition format, it was a major breakthrough for our discipline. We became part of a massive event that garnered worldwide attention. Because of this, people in even the most remote countries learned about Blind SAMBO and became interested in the sport.

For blind athletes, participating in such a tournament is both a socialization opportunity and a chance to meet the most decorated SAMBO athletes on the planet. I know that SAMBO Ambassador Fedor Emelianenko and many other legendary martial artists followed our matches. This World Championships was such a significant milestone that I can hardly put it into words.

Do you remember your emotions after winning the final?

– At that moment, I felt no overwhelming emotions. I just exhaled and thought to myself that I had done my job and the day was over. Later, sitting at home, I realized what had happened — I had become a world champion and set a historic record. The joy truly hit me when my friends and family started congratulating me. That’s when the full realization of my victory set in.

Which congratulation stood out to you the most?

– After the championship in Astana, I traveled to a training camp in Sochi. My coach and I arrived at around 2 AM, and the entire team was waiting for us, greeting us with applause and congratulations. We then sat together, having tea and cake. Later, when I returned to Khabarovsk, my teammates from my adaptive school met us at the airport at 7 AM with flags and balloons. That was incredibly touching.

Do you plan to compete in the next World Championships?

– Of course, I would love to participate. I won’t make any predictions, as anything can happen in that time. I need to stay in shape and avoid injuries. But if everything goes as planned, my only goal is to win a second World Championship gold medal!

What other major goals do you have in sports?

– I believe in leading by example — showing that there are no insurmountable obstacles in this world, that nothing is impossible. I am just like everyone else; I was an ordinary boy in my childhood, but I set a goal and worked toward it step by step.

I want to demonstrate that success is achievable despite disabilities, despite vision problems. And I simply want to continue training, doing what I love, and succeeding in my chosen field.

What advice would you give to children who are just starting out in sports or are thinking about it?

– Kids! Get into sports, take up martial arts! SAMBO will open doors for you in life. Through this sport, you will make many friends, gain confidence, and have the chance to travel the world if you perform well in competitions. But to achieve that, you need to train hard and strive to be the best — in your gym, in your city, in your country! Success doesn’t always come immediately, but don’t get discouraged, don’t give up — keep moving forward, believe in yourself and your dream! Pursue your goals with determination, and everything will work out for you!

SAMBO stands for self-defense without weapons. Have you ever had to use your SAMBO skills to protect yourself or others outside of training and competition?

– Yes, there have been instances where I had to defend myself and protect my loved ones. The most important thing SAMBO has given me in such situations is confidence. When you encounter these moments, you are prepared and, therefore, self-assured. You know how to subdue an opponent, neutralize them, twist their arm, or simply restrain them by pinning them to the ground or against a wall. Often, that alone is enough to resolve a conflict. The confidence that SAMBO instills helps handle such situations.

Viktor, speaking more broadly, what does SAMBO mean to you?

– SAMBO is my passion. Thanks to it, I have traveled across half the world and gained a vast network of friends and like-minded people in different countries. SAMBO is my purpose and driving force in life.