The International World Games Association (IWGA) has announced the ten finalists for The World Games Athlete of the Year 2025, with SAMBO athlete Arman Avanesyan (Armenia) securing his place among the world’s elite athletes from various sporting disciplines.
Avanesyan advanced to the final round after gathering 11,259 votes in the initial voting phase, earning him ninth place among the finalists. The International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported Arman in the first round of voting. Your support has been instrumental in bringing SAMBO to this prestigious international stage.
The competition has now entered its decisive phase: vote tallies have been reset to zero, giving each finalist an equal opportunity to claim victory. Fans from around the world can continue voting for their favorites until 2 February at 12:00 GMT, with votes allowed every 24 hours.
The ten finalists represent a diverse range of sporting disciplines, including Flag Football, Tug of War, DanceSport, Muaythai, Wushu, Underwater Sports, Fistball, Cheerleading, SAMBO, and Gymnastics. The winner, runner-up, and bronze medallist will receive a trophy, valuable prizes, and significant international promotion.
FIAS calls on the global SAMBO community to rally behind Arman Avanesyan in the final round. Visit The World Games website to cast your vote and support SAMBO’s presence on the international sporting stage: https://www.theworldgames.org/awards/Athlete-of-the-Year-2025-168
The final results will be announced immediately after voting concludes on 2 February.