Cholpon-Ata, September 3 — The 2026 World Nomad Games unfolded on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, drawing athletes from across continents to compete in disciplines rooted in centuries-old traditions. At its heart was the SAMBO competition, a martial art now finding new ground in Kyrgyzstan’s high-altitude valleys. What unfolded over the course of September 3 was a tightly contested Sport SAMBO tournament, with medals awarded in three weight classes after rounds of bouts judged under the rules of the International SAMBO Federation.
In the 64 kg division, Denis Yakovlev of Russia stood atop the podium, his gold medal earned through a series of victories that placed him ahead of Wurinile of China, who took silver. Bronze medals in that category went to Zhandos Beisenbayev of Kazakhstan and Hassan Poolady of Iran, both securing podium finishes.
In the 79 kg category, the host nation found its moment of triumph as Feliks Ulanbekov of Kyrgyzstan claimed gold. Silver went to Uladzislau Mardusevich of Belarus, while Yerkebulan Negmetov of Kazakhstan and Munkhbayar Nergui of Mongolia shared the bronze. The heaviest division, +98 kg, saw Bolat Sapar of Kazakhstan rise to the top.
Silver was awarded to Zufarbek Uralov of Uzbekistan, and bronze medals went to Gleb Pozhakhirko of Russia and Syerik Byeryedmurat of Mongolia, completing a podium that spanned four nations. The event was organized under the auspices of the International SAMBO Federation, known by its acronym FIAS, a non-governmental, public, non-profit body that unites national federations from around the world.
As the only internationally recognized organization responsible for SAMBO’s development, FIAS oversees standardized rules for Sport, Combat, and Beach SAMBO, maintains an official competition calendar, and shares news, videos, and photos through its website. The 2026 World Nomad Games themselves are a multi-sport celebration of traditional nomadic heritage, held in Cholpon-Ata. The SAMBO tournament results highlight the sport’s expanding reach, with medalists representing Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan — a geographic spread that underscores its growing popularity in Central Asia and beyond.
Looking ahead, the role of FIAS in promoting and regulating SAMBO will remain central as the sport seeks broader recognition on the global stage. For now, the medals won on September 3 in Kyrgyzstan stand as markers of achievement, each one earned through discipline and effort, and each one adding to the evolving story of a traditional martial art finding new expression in a modern, international arena.
