The strongest sambists of Russia met in Perm

The championship is timed to coincide with three anniversaries at once: 85 years of SAMBO, 100 years of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation and 300 years of Perm. Anton Yagovtsev, Executive Director of the Sambo Federation of the Perm Territory, talks about the preparation for this tournament, its regulations and the potential of our athletes.

– How difficult was the preparation for the championship, what structures were involved in it?

– There was really a lot of work. Everyone was connected – our federation, the Ministry of Sports of the Perm Territory, the CSP, security services of all structures. This is a large-scale event – 72 regions are declared, about 700 participants from all over the country. Four mats, three days of competition… Men and women compete in sports sambo, only men compete in combat sambo. Athletes over 18 years old are participating – those who have qualified for the Russian Championship.

How is this selection going?

– Selections are held in each region and, in addition, in the course of specialized competitions of various structures – championships of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Armed Forces, and the National Guard are held. The winners of these events are also selected for the Russian Championship – they are part of the national teams of their regions and go to represent their region or region.

– Is the championship held in individual and team competitions?

– Competitions are personal, but the team result is still summed up – according to the results of federal districts and regions.

– How is the competition day organized? How accessible is everything to viewers?

– Competitions are held in three days, February 28 – the first day. From 10:00 to 16:30 there are preliminary matches in three weight categories. The official opening ceremony of the competition will take place at 16:30. At 17:00 hours – finals. In the next two days, the same – preliminary bouts, finals and awards. Everywhere will be interesting.

All events are held in the arena of the Sukharev sports complex. Entrance for spectators is free. It is clear that there is a pass system, we monitor security. Under the ban alcoholic drinks, piercing, cutting objects – as everywhere else.

– How many weight categories are there in SAMBO? What are the rules of the tournament? Are there any differences in combat sambo?

– We have 7 weight categories for men and women. Competitions are held according to the Olympic system. But if in classical sambo repechage bouts are held for the losers in the semi-finals, then in combat sambo this is not the case. If you’ve lost, then you’ve lost.

– What weight categories usually have more participants?

– Well, basically, as practice shows, these are average weights. Here, at competitions, sometimes more than 50 people are recruited in one weight.

– Who are the famous athletes involved? All our reigning champions?

– All. This is our anniversary championship, a lot of guests have been invited. And the athletes who have qualified for the national championship are interested in participating. In each weight category, there are five Honored Masters of Sports – these are multiple champions of the world, Europe, international champions, 10-15 people each. Well, and all those who still only claim to win this level.

– What can you say about the Perm team?

– We just finished the preparatory camp just three days ago. The national team, of course, did not approach the tournament in its optimal composition, there are injured. We got Ivan Pegushin, who broke his ligaments at the National Guard Championship. He underwent surgery and has yet to recover. A young athlete, 22 years old, was already a winner of the Russian championship in Orenburg. But sport is sport – we will cherish and prepare for the next start.

Let’s talk about those who participate with us. These are our locomotives, Honored Masters of Sports Maria Molchanova, Igor Beglerov, multiple world champion. Well, and our youth, which we want to test. 22-23 years old is the period when a sambo wrestler should already feel that he can become a champion. Let’s see if the native walls help or not.

– A question about our competitors – who is traditionally strong, who claims high awards?

– Well, recently the Yekaterinburg region has been actively developing – this is Kushva, Yekaterinburg. Moscow, Krasnodar Territory are traditionally strong. There have always been strong schools.

– And the Caucasus? Wrestling areas are developed there – freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman, judo. What about sambo? The same Chechnya, Dagestan?

– Well, Chechnya, Dagestan, we mainly participate in combat sambo. The school of sports sambo is not so developed there. But Maikop, Armavir are classical schools. In general, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, there are champions everywhere.

– Does the winner of the Russian Championship get a ticket to the national team for the World Cup?

– Yes. And the silver medalists go to the European Championship. It is clear that according to the results of training, there may be some kind of rotation, depending on how ready the athlete is, whether someone was injured. But these are the people we have in the cage.

– Where can I get information about who exactly fights when?

– On the site of the All-Russian Federation in the section “Championship of Russia” everything is laid out on the shelves – where, when, all the regulations. In our groups in social networks, too, all this is laid out. And for athletes everywhere there are regulations, navigation, including in the hotels where they live, so that everything is clear to everyone.

– Is the championship broadcast?

– Match TV will broadcast the opening and finals – every day live. In addition, a live broadcast is conducted on the website of the All-Russian Sambo Federation.

– It’s one thing to just look at a beautiful fight. Another thing is to understand what is happening, why the judge gave someone points, but not someone. Does the viewer need to know the ground rules?

– Not necessary. Everything is much easier. I invite everyone to the Russian Sambo Championship. This is a very interesting, exciting, dynamic fight. Come, look – and you will understand everything.