International Sambo Tournament in commemoration of Albert Astakhov, World Cup Stage in Venezuela, on July 30, 2010.

The Russian national team took part in the International Sambo Tournament in commemoration of Albert Astakhov, World Cup Stage in Venezuela, on July 30, 2010.

Honoured coach of the Russian Federation, international category referee of extra-class Albert Astakhov is one of the Sambo founders in Venezuela. Thanks to his work this sport saw great popularity in the South American continent. The International Sambo Tournament in honour of Albert Astakhov has been held for many years in Caracas. This tournament was renamed in 2009 as the International Sambo Tournament in commemoration of Albert Astakhov after the death of eminent coach and has got World Cup status.

Athletes from all regions of Venezuela, wrestlers from Brazil, Lithuania and Russia, and more than 180 male and female Sambo athletes took part in this competition.
The Russian Federation was presented by a team of 5 athletes; winning won gold medals. Alieva Marianna from Moscow, present champion of Europe took the first place in the weight category of 60 kilograms and another winner of the European championship among the juniors from the city of Perm became the best in weight category of 65 kilograms. Leaders of the Junior National Russian team have proved that the Russians are the best in Sambo sport.
Vasiliy Karaulov from Armavir became champion in super light weight; Viktor Osipenko from Briansk took the gold in weight category of 90 kilograms; Andrey Volkov from Riazan, silver winner of the European championship 2010, wrestled in the most prestigious category of 100 kilograms, and won the gold medal.

The competitions were not easy. Our team made a long flight and crossed several time zones. In general, this visit to Venezuela was not an easy task.
Local Sambo athletes have prepared to wrestle with the Russians. ‘They are worthy of respect, they are persistent wrestlers and they do not take a step back and all the combats were hard’ said chief coach of the Russian national Sambo team Vladislav Gavrilov.

The competitions were perfectly organized, we were happy to respond to the invitation of Venezuela. It is a very good start in low season (inter-season). Participation in the international tournament gives a fruitful experience for athletes, especially for leaders of the Junior national team who will wrestle in the Junior and Youth World Sambo Championship in October.
According to Vladislav Gavrilov’s opinion, Sambo is very popular in Venezuela to the same extent for woman and men. A network of clubs is developed, there is all the necessary equipment for trainings and competitions like outfit, carpets, referee’s uniform.

Wonderfully there is a good attitude to this Russian type of sport in Venezuela. ‘It's a far country from Russia, but Sambo is loved there and it makes us happy’ said chief coach of our national team.