How to Enter a Freestyle Sambo Tournament

Freestyle sambo, a variation of the Russian martial art of sambo, was developed in the United States with the encouragement of the American Sambo Association (ASA). Any sambo fighter can enter a competition as long as it is designated as an open tournament.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Contact the officials holding the competition and ask whether there are any restrictions on entering, such as required certificates or membership in a particular training facility. Most ASA competitions are open to all entrants, although a entry fee discount is often given to association members. Ask the competition officials about entry fees, deadlines and all rules and regulations.
2. Obtain the proper uniform. In most competitions, you will be required to wear an official sambo uniform, including kurtkas (the traditional tunic), belts, shorts and wrestling shoes. You will be required to wear either a red, white or blue uniform to differentiate yourself from your opponent.
3. Protect yourself with gear . You may be prevented from competing if you do not have a groin protector, jock strap and mouthpiece. While the use of knee pads is usually optional, they can prevent serious injuries during the ankle or leg lock techniques that are common in freestyle sambo.
4. Register under the appropriate weight class and skill level. Men's tournaments offer weight divisions from 121 to 221 pounds. Women's competitions are usually broken down into groups after everyone has registered.
5. Join the ASA to compete more effectively in freestyle tournaments. You'll receive a 15-percent discount on all goods and services, such as sambo supplies, instructional books and DVDs and other accessories. Check out the ASA website for more information on upcoming tournaments, membership and a list of rules and regulations for each tournament (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• T-shirts are not allowed underneath your kurtka during competition.