Sambo is an international combat sport, approved as a sporting discipline on November 16, 1938. Sambo developed from national martial arts. Viktor Spiridonov, Vasily Oshchepkov, and Anatoly Kharlampiev are considered the founders of Sambo.
Sambo is divided into three main styles: sport sambo, combat sambo and beach Sambo.
Sport Sambo (men’s and women’s) is a style in which strikes and chokes are prohibited. Throws, holds, and pain holds are judged.
Combat Sambo (men’s and women’s) combines sport Sambo techniques with strikes and chokes. Throws, holds, pain holds, and various types of holds are judged.
Beach Sambo (men’s and women’s) is a style in which the fight continues until the first scoring throw. The fight takes place on a sandy area, exclusively in standing positions.