Vladyslav RUDNIEV: “My victory in Chengdu marks the end of my amateur career”

The Combat SAMBO tournament at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, was a special one for Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Rudniev. The five-time World Champion and four-time European Champion in the 79 kg Combat SAMBO weight category added a coveted World Games gold medal to his already impressive collection – a dream he had cherished since childhood.

“When I was a kid, I wrote in my notebook: ‘I want to become an Olympic champion.’ Our sport is not yet part of the Olympic program, but when I found out that Combat SAMBO would be included in The World Games, I set myself a new goal. Throughout 2024, I was ranked number one in the world, and I came to Chengdu to secure that position. Today, I’ve done it – and I can proudly check off another box in my notebook,” Rudniev said.

For the athlete, victory in Chengdu became a symbolic conclusion to his amateur career. 

“This chapter is over, and I’m moving forward as a professional. I currently have 11 wins and no losses in MMA, and I want to use my Combat SAMBO experience to grow in mixed martial arts while inspiring the younger generation. My belief is simple: impossible is possible. You have to work hard, make plans, and believe that your goals are achievable,” he noted.

According to Rudniev, the final bout at The World Games did not come as a complete surprise. “After the draw, I had a good idea of who could reach the final, and that only motivated me more. On the podium, all I wanted was to sing my country’s national anthem. Those emotions can’t be bought – they’re the kind of moments that make the whole journey worthwhile,” he said.

For Vladyslav, this tournament was not only a personal triumph but also proof that hard work, discipline, and self-belief always pay off. “SAMBO used to be just a passion, a hobby for me. Now it’s my profession. And my father always taught me: if you take on something, be the best at it,” he concluded.