TOKYO, Feb 12 — RIA Novosti, Ksenia Naka. The Sambo Championship of Japan for the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Cup opened in Tokyo, RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the scene.
"The significance of these competitions is great, as it is not only the championship of Japan, but also a qualifying tournament for a whole series of international competitions, including the Sambo World Cup, which will be held in Moscow in March, and the Asian Championships and World Championships in Bucharest In November. The winners will have the opportunity to go to these competitions, “said Asai Nobuyuki, chairman of the executive committee of the Sambo Championship of Japan, member of the executive committee of the International Sambo Federation, to RIA Novosti.
“More than 100 sportsmen, men and women in nine weight categories take part in the championship of Japan,” he added.
The idea of holding sambo competitions in Japan was born in 2010 at the meeting with Mr Putin, the president of the International Sambo Federation Vasily Shestakov and the famous judoka Yasuhiro Yamashita, who heads the non-profit organization Solidarnosci International Sambo Training.
“Japan Sambo Championship is held for the 44th time and for the sixth time — for the cup of the Russian president. We believe that it plays a very important role for the development of friendship and good-neighborly relations between our countries,”
Asai Nobuyuki said. Asai Nobuyuki is also Yasuhiro Yamashita’s assistant on all matters related to Russia. His answer to RIA Novosti whether any other events related to Russia are being prepared in 2018, he replied: “Let’s hope and wait.”