Russia is a recognized leader in the world of sambo, a martial art, as evidenced by its consecutive victories in the World and European Championships. However, few anticipated such a strong start from the Russian athletes on the first day of the World Championships in Kyrgyzstan.
The Russian sambo athletes, who are participating in the tournament as neutrals, left no chance for their opponents, winning nine gold medals out of all the medals contested on the first day of the World Championships.
In the sport of sambo, Russia won two gold medals in the 58 kg and 71 kg weight categories, through Vladimir Gladkikh and Rasul Nash.
In the over 98 kg weight category, Russian Artem Osipenko won the gold medal and the bronze medal.
In women's sambo, Russia swept all the medals in the three weight categories that took place on the first day of the tournament.
The Russians Margarita Barneva (50 kg), Karina Cherevana (65 kg) and Albina Cholumbetko (over 80 kg) were crowned world champions.
It is noteworthy that all the women's final bouts featured exclusively neutral players, with all the silver medals going to Belarusian representatives.
In the combat sport of sambo, two sets of medals were contested for both men and women, and Russia won all four gold medals.
Among the men, Sheikh-Mansur Khabibullayev won in the Mad Moon 64 kg weight category, achieving the world championship title for the seventh time in his career.
Meanwhile, Abusubian Alikhanov won the gold medal in the under 88 kg weight category.
Among the women, Russian Vera Lutkova in the under 54 kg category and Yana Polyakova in the under 72 kg category stood out as the two strongest female wrestlers in the world.
