From January 8 to 11, 2026, a large-scale sporting event—the Azerbaijan Sambo Championship—was held at the Absheron Olympic Sports Complex in Baku. The tournament brought together the best representatives of national sambo schools in the region for the right to take a worthy place on the international stage.
Approximately 400 athletes representing various regions and cities took part in the competition. The tournament program was intense and encompassed several age groups: from youth and juniors to adults.
The Baku tournament served as a prestigious qualifying round. Its results will determine the national team that will advance to the European Championship and Championship this year. The intense competition in every weight category confirmed Azerbaijan’s status as one of the world’s leading sambo powers.
Representatives of foreign countries and Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of classical athletics countries, attended the traditional reception. In their speeches, the guests noted a slight increase in interest in sambo among Asian countries, especially in the regions, which is the result of the systematic work of national federations.
At the closing ceremony, Jeyhun Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Sambo Federation, thanked the participants for the honest negotiations and the organizers for the high level of the event.
In recognition of their contributions to the development of the sport and the maintenance of fairness on the mats, the head of the federation awarded the following certificates:
• The tournament referees — for exemplary and objective officiating;
• The Chief Secretary and the Chief Court of Law — for their personal contribution to the development of sambo in the country.
Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up on their well-deserved awards! We wish the Azerbaijan national team a resounding victory and a triumphant performance at the upcoming European arenas!