World Champions: Sverdlovsk Sambas claim victory in the World Games held in China
Sofia Istomina Wins Gold at Inaugural Sambo Competition in World Games
Sofia Istomina, a student from the Yekaterinburg Olympic Reserve Sports School, made history by becoming the first Sambo athlete to win gold at the World Games. The competition took place in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17, 2025, marking the first time Sambo was included in the games.
Istomina's victory is a significant achievement not only for her but also for the Sverdlovsk region, as she is the only representative from the region at the ongoing World Games. Around 5,000 athletes from over 100 countries participated in the games, competing for 253 medal sets across 34 sports and 60 disciplines.
Istomina, who is a Master of Sports in Russia, a World Champion, and a European Champion, won gold in the women's up to 65kg category. Her determination and hard work have paid off, as she also holds the 2024 World Combat Sambo Cup.
Governor of the Sverdlovsk region, Denis Pasler, announced Istomina's victory in his Telegram channel, praising her achievements. Pasler thanked her coaches, family, and team for their support, highlighting their crucial role in helping her reach this peak.
In addition to the World Games, the 2025 Youth and Junior World Sambo Championship is scheduled separately for October 1-6, 2025, at JSI Resort Megamendung, Ciawi, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Fifteen countries have already confirmed their participation in this event.
Here's a summary of the two Sambo events:
| Event | Location | Dates | Expected Athletes and Countries | |-----------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 2025 World Games (including Sambo)| Chengdu, China | Aug 7–17, 2025 | 4,000+ athletes from 110+ countries (overall event) | | 2025 Youth & Junior Sambo Champs | Bogor, West Java, Indonesia | Oct 1–6, 2025 | 15 countries confirmed |
The 2025 World Games, which took place in Chengdu, China, featured Sambo as one of its sports for the first time. This was the 12th edition of the World Games and included combat Sambo as one of its sports. The Sambo competitions were broadcast live worldwide, showcasing the sport to a global audience.
Istomina's victory in the World Games is a testament to the growing popularity and recognition of Sambo as a competitive sport on the international stage. The "Regional Newspaper" reported on her participation in the World Games in China, marking another milestone in her career and the development of Sambo in the region.
While the World Games in Chengdu, China, showcased a variety of sports, it was the debut of Sambo that attracted global attention, with over 4,000 athletes from more than 110 countries participating. Notably, Sofia Istomina, a Master of Sports in Russia, won gold in the women's up to 65kg category, signifying the rise of hockey as a competitive sport on an international level.
