On January 24, the Hungarian International Sambo Grand Prix took place at the BVSC Wrestling Hall. The tournament marked a milestone in the sports season, during which the Hungarian national team for 2026 was selected.
This year’s competition brought together athletes from seven countries. The diverse field ensured competitiveness and allowed the organizers to achieve their primary goal: testing the strengths of national team candidates in all age groups before major international competitions.
A New Level of Competition
For Hungarian sambists, the Grand Prix was a serious test, with the participation of representatives from other countries setting a high bar. The tournament helped identify leaders and gave the young athletes invaluable experience competing against representatives of various national sambo schools.
A Word from the Leader
Imre Papp, founder and president of the Hungarian Sambo Federation, assessed the results of the competition and shared his plans for the future:
“My goal is to create a strong tournament in Central Europe, and I am confident that we are on the right path.” I am extremely pleased with how the tournament went. The teams demonstrated a very high level of technique. We learned a lot and certainly reached a new level. Now that the national team rosters have been finalized, we begin preparing for the year’s biggest challenges: the juniors are preparing for the continental championship in April, and the adults are preparing for the World Cup and European Championships in May."
The Hungarian Sambo Federation continues to strengthen its position in the European community, focusing on developing international cooperation and raising the professional level of its athletes.