In 2026, Budo Promotion Ommen will organize the Dutch Open for the 33rd time. Beginning in 1991, Hendrik Jan Ningbers organized a major tournament in judo and karate. After meeting Eduardas Rudas from Lithuania, sambo was soon added to the Dutch Open program. For many years, sambo was held on Fridays, and judo and karate on Saturdays. The tournament, always held on the second weekend in March, grew rapidly, and each year around 1,000 athletes traveled to Dalfsen for the Dutch Open. Athletes from all over the world knew it was a great event, well-organized, and suitable for all ages. Large teams traveled together, and the atmosphere was (and remains) always excellent. Over the years, Sambo became increasingly popular, and organizing everything for such a large group of athletes became increasingly challenging. The organizers then decided to abandon judo and focus exclusively on Sambo and Karate. Finally, in 2024, the decision was made to focus exclusively on Sambo.
The organizing committee proudly states that it welcomes athletes from approximately 30 different countries, most of whom attend the tournament every year. With the help of a wonderful group of volunteers and, of course, judges from various countries, the tournament’s standard improves each year. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was not organized in 2020 and 2021; otherwise, this year would have been our anniversary!
The DSI Dutch Open Sambo Championships is open to all sambists who are members of their national Sambo federations.
This year, the tournament will take place on Saturday, March 7 (children, cadets, juniors, and masters) and March 8 (adults — sport and combat sambo).
Registration link:
https://dutch-sambo-federation.smoothcomp.com/en/event/27727
Competition regulations and full information:
https://eurosambo.com/en/competitions/2026/599/