Sambo martial arts is Russian/Soviet martial art that combines elements of various martial arts styles, including judo, wrestling, and traditional Russian fighting techniques, to create one of the toughest martial arts systems for self-defense and combat. The word “Sambo” is an acronym that translates to “self-defense without weapons” (from the Russian: “SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya”).
Over the years, Russian sambo has grown in popularity, not only in Russia but also around the world, thanks to its efficiency in real-life self-defense situations and competitive sports. Sambo is practiced in two major forms: sport sambo and combat sambo.
While sport Sambo focuses on throws, grappling, and joint locks, combat Sambo incorporates striking techniques, making it a versatile and comprehensive martial art.
Let’s explore Sambo’s martial arts roots, what training entails, its variations, and how it compares to other martial arts.
Note: As Sambo martial arts is niche and may be difficult to find, I recommend using Google to search Sambo Martial Arts Near me to find a class near your location.
A Brief History of Soviet/Russian Sambo
Sambo’s origins are deeply intertwined with the Soviet Union’s history. In the early 1920s, Soviet military and political leaders sought to create a martial art that would enhance the combat capabilities of soldiers and law enforcement.
Sambo was developed through the synthesis of various Soviet national wrestling styles, combined with elements from judo and jiu-jitsu, which were brought to the Soviet Union by judo practitioners such as Vasili Oshchepkov and Viktor Spiridonov.
Oshchepkov, who had trained under the legendary Judo founder Jigoro Kano, played a huge role in adapting Judo for Sambo. However, the goal was not simply to copy Judo but to develop a system uniquely suited to Soviet needs.
As a result, Sambo borrowed and incorporated moves from traditional wrestling styles such as Georgian Chidaoba, Uzbek Kurash, and Mongolian Bokh.
By 1938, sambo had become officially recognized as a sport by the Soviet Union. It quickly spread across the Soviet Union and became a mandatory part of the training for the military and police. The creation of combat Sambo, which places a focus on both hand-to-hand combat and self-defense, further cemented its place in Soviet martial arts.
After the dissolution of the USSR, Sambo retained its prominence in Russia and the former Soviet states while also gaining international recognition. The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) was established in 1984 to promote the sport globally.
What to Expect When Training in Sambo Martial Arts
Training in sambo is physically demanding and mentally stimulating. It incorporates grappling, throwing, and ground control techniques, combined with fast, explosive transitions and effective counters.
A typical sambo training session can be divided into several components:
- Warm-up: Like most martial arts, sambo training starts with a thorough warm-up to prepare the muscles and joints for intense activity and impact. This often includes running, stretching, and bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups.
- Technique Drills: These are the core of sambo training, focusing on throws, holds, pins, and submission techniques such as joint locks. Practitioners are taught to control and manipulate their opponent’s body weight and momentum to execute throws and takedowns effectively.
- Grappling and Sparring: Student-to-student sparring is a key element of Sambo training. This allows students to practice their techniques in a controlled but competitive environment. Sparring sessions can involve standing, grappling, and groundwork, where the objective is on maintaining control and seeking submission opportunities.
- Combat Sambo Training: For those practicing combat Sambo, striking techniques are introduced. These sessions often include pad work and bag drills, along with sparring that incorporates punches, kicks, and defensive maneuvers.
- Conditioning: Sambo athletes need to develop strength, endurance, and agility, so physical conditioning is an essential part of training. This includes exercises aimed at improving a student’s cardio and core. This leads to explosive power and the ability to perform the rapid, high-impact techniques of sambo.
Overall, Sambo training is known for its rigorous nature, pushing practitioners to develop a well-rounded skill set that includes both grappling and striking (in combat Sambo).
Sport Sambo vs. Combat Sambo: A Comparison
Sport Sambo and combat Sambo share a common foundation, but they differ significantly in their application and techniques.
The main distinctions between the two are:
- Techniques:
- Sport Sambo: Sport Sambo focuses on throws, submissions, and ground control, similar to judo or wrestling. It is a grappling-based sport where strikes are not allowed. Victory is achieved by pinning an opponent, forcing a submission, or scoring points through successful throws.
- Combat Sambo: Combat Sambo includes all the techniques of sport Sambo but also incorporates striking. This includes punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. It was designed for real-life scenarios, which is why it features both grappling and striking.
- Protective Gear
- Sport Sambo: Practitioners typically wear a Sambo kurta (jacket), shorts, and wrestling shoes. No additional protective gear is required.
- Combat Sambo: Combat Sambo fighters wear additional protective gear, such as gloves, shin guards, and a helmet with a face shield, to protect against strikes and serious injury.
- Focus
- Sport Sambo emphasizes control, precision, and technique, with a heavy focus on throws and submissions.
- Combat Sambo places more emphasis on aggression, real-world practicality, and fighting strategy, combining grappling with striking.
While both styles are physically demanding, combat Sambo is often considered more intense due to the addition of strikes and the broader range of techniques.
If you’re a visual person like me, you may want to see and own some Sambo material, so I sourced the below for you from Amazon (and it’s great practice if you can get someone to train with you at home):
Sambo vs. Other Martial Arts: How Does It Compare?
When comparing Sambo to other martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai, there are key differences that make Sambo stand out:
Sambo vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
- Both Sambo and BJJ are grappling-based martial arts with an emphasis on ground fighting. However, Sambo incorporates more stand-up throws, drawing from judo and wrestling traditions, whereas BJJ focuses primarily on ground-based submissions.
- BJJ practitioners tend to work from the guard position and prioritize gaining control on the ground, while Sambo athletes are trained to end the fight quickly through explosive throws and immediate submissions.
Sambo vs. Muay Thai
- While Sambo focuses on grappling and ground control, Muay Thai is primarily a striking art known for its use of elbows, knees, punches, and kicks. The two arts are quite different in their approach to combat.
- Combat Sambo, however, includes striking techniques similar to those in Muay Thai, making it more versatile in terms of self-defense.
What I’m trying to say is this: a Sambo martial artist would have no issue in an MMA fight nor defending themselves in a street fight.
Is Sambo the Toughest Martial Art?
Sambo is certainly one of the most versatile and physically demanding martial arts, but labeling it as the toughest? Well, that’s another story and a matter of opinion.
I wouldn’t necessarily say it is the toughest; after all, that’s subjective. Other martial arts like BJJ, Muay Thai, and even mixed martial arts (MMA) can be just as challenging, depending on the student’s goals and the intensity of training.
Sambo’s rigor lies in its balance between sport and combat readiness, which might appeal more to those looking for a complete martial art that prepares them for both competition and self-defense.
Conclusion
Sambo martial arts stands out for its historical roots in Soviet military training and its effective combination of grappling and striking techniques. Whether practicing sport Sambo or combat Sambo, practitioners can expect a well-rounded and demanding training regime that builds strength, skill, and mental toughness.
When comparing Sambo to other martial arts like BJJ and Muay Thai, it is clear that Sambo offers a unique balance of stand-up and ground techniques, making it perfect for both sports and real-world self-defense.
While it may not be definitively the “toughest” martial art, it is certainly one of the most comprehensive, offering a range of techniques that equip practitioners for a variety of combat scenarios.