Sofia, July 11, 2026. A training seminar for referees was held in the Bulgarian capital as part of the International Sambo Tournament Ivan Doktorov 2026.
The educational program was led by Ivan Netov, head of the European Sambo Federation’s Referees Commission. Professional development of referees is a crucial task. “There is a direct correlation between the quality of refereeing, the number of errors, and the incidence of injuries,” noted Netov. “When a referee works cleanly, reacts promptly and competently to the dynamics of a bout, they don’t just record points; they prevent dangerous situations before they arise. Reducing injuries is our top priority.”
After the theoretical part, which included complex cases and video replays, the referees moved on to practical training. The Ivan Doktorov tournament became a testing ground for them: they practiced their acquired knowledge in real time, directly on the mat, throughout the competitive bouts.
After the theoretical part, which included complex cases and video replays, the referees moved on to practical training. The Ivan Doktorov tournament became a testing ground for them: they practiced their acquired knowledge in real time, directly on the mat, throughout the competitive bouts.