World Masters Sambo Championships 2007
Martin Clarke right with French President and Mr Fernando Compte.
Mr Compte is the founder of FIAS in 1985 known as the father of Sombo/Sambo
This years World Master’s were held in Moudania Greece October 6th – 10th. Master Events are becoming more and more popular throughout the sporting world. The age categories for this event were as follows, 35 -39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,55-54,55-59,60,64,65-70 and over 70 years each age group is then divided into the normal weight divisions.
The first time GB entered a team for this event was in 1999 when there were 50 entries this year there were 250 plus. Sambo under David Rudman has gone through a massive transformation it now boasts 75 countries and 5 continents affiliated to the World recognised body F.I.A.S.
The Venue left a lot to be desired as did the registration and booking in the night before the event The important part was the Sambo wrestling and this year it would be hard as there is no restriction on how many can enter a division, the Eastern Block swamped the event. 1st out for GB was Paul Sawyer 40-44 u68k, Paul is one of our most experienced players but over the last year has suffered with a knee injury this coupled with the fact he had 3 Russian on his side of the pool did not look good. He had two fight both of which he lost, I am sure if he did not have the knee injury he would have faired better. Lets hope his knee improves as he is to valuable an asset to lose from Sambo.
Darren Richardson took Bronze in the 40-44 u100k class when his opponent refused to turn for the bronze fight of.
Colin Carrott from the Warriors Grappling Academy 45-49 u90k, lost in the early rounds to a Lithuanian who went on to win a Silver because of this it allowed him to come back through the repercharge system to fight for bronze. Colin and his French opponent were very evenly matched it was Colin who would get the first score with a 4pt hold down. ¾ of the way through the match was given a 1pt penalty for passivity and then the Frenchman threw him for 2pts, the match eventually finished 4pt to 3pts in favour of Colin.
6th Dan Judo and International GB Sambo player Steve Sweetlove came out of retirement to compete in the 50-54 u100k class but lost in the 1st round mainly due to being match rusty. Steve is a potential World champion in this event.
The overall standard at this event was good but some of the Heavyweights were like Bulls locking horns not a pretty sight. The refereeing was most probably the best I have seen, the organisation on the day was good but the whole event was let down by the Venue.
Interested in Sombo/Sambo contact Martin Clarke sombogb @blueyonder.co.uk
Pictures: world masters...