Ecuador's Second National SAMBO Circuit Held in Azogues

The Ecuadorian SAMBO Federation hosted the Second National SAMBO Tournament on April 11 at the Coliseo Eduardo Rivas Ayora in Azogues. Around 100 athletes from provinces across the country took part in the competition.

The tournament brought together competitors from Azuay, Cañar, and Pichincha, with bouts held in both Sport SAMBO and Combat SAMBO across multiple weight categories. The event was the second of three scheduled qualifying stages in the national circuit. Points earned will determine which athletes secure a place on Ecuador's team for the upcoming Pan-American SAMBO Championships in Costa Rica.

Staging the tournament in the country's highland region is part of a wider effort to grow SAMBO in new areas and bring young athletes into the sport. Alongside its competitive calendar, the federation runs social programs offering free training sessions for those who cannot afford regular classes.

“The idea is to connect with athletes from this province – to plant a seed, to share this sport, so they have the opportunity to come to the championship, see it, feel the level of organization. The idea is exactly that – to attract new athletes and new academies,” said Francisco Ortiz, President of the Ecuador SAMBO Clubs Association.

He also noted that SAMBO has been gaining popularity in Ecuador year after year. Academies are already up and running in Azuay and Pichincha, and athletes from those provinces have made their mark on the international stage – including at the most recent World SAMBO Championships in Kyrgyzstan.