The European Sambo Youth Championships, which brought together youth and junior age groups, have concluded in Novi Sad. The tournament featured 23 countries and 357 athletes, making it one of the most prestigious events on the continental calendar.
Over the course of three days, the top competitors among boys and girls aged 16–18, as well as junior men and women aged 18–20, were determined on the mats. The competition was highly competitive, with intense battles in virtually every weight class.
The tournament resulted in a broad and geographically diverse medal tally. The Russian national team took the lead, having secured the most victories in the final matches. The teams from Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Georgia also made a significant contribution to the medal count, consistently placing among the medalists.
Athletes from Ukraine, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Turkey demonstrated a high level of skill, regularly advancing to the final rounds. Medals were also won by representatives from Greece, France, Serbia, Israel, Germany, and Lithuania, confirming the expanding reach of competitive sambo schools across Europe.
A notable development was the inclusion of junior combat sambo competitions in the championship program — previously, this discipline had only been featured at the World Youth Championships. Its European debut strengthened the sporting aspect of the tournament and expanded its competition program.
The European Youth Championships in Novi Sad confirmed the steady growth of sambo across the continent, the rising level of athlete preparation, and the expansion of international competition across all age groups.