NEW ZEALAND SAMBO FEDERATION

Welcome to the New Zealand SAMBO Federation, also known as Sambo NZ.

We are the national SAMBO sporting organisation affiliated with the International SAMBO governing body FIAS.

Get Involved

For Health: SAMBO is ideal for getting moving, developing physical and mental resilience
For Athletics: SAMBO provides advantages for cross training by spreading bio mechanical utilisation, a process that can de-risk sporting activities by building resistance to injury
For FUN! - movement and orderly contact sports on cushioned floors with training and development by great coaches in warm environments with friends
For SPORT and/or FIGHTING: SAMBO rules are highly appealing to competitors from other contact sports to fight safely and fairly while using their prior superpowers from codes like Wrestling, Judo, Jujitsu and others

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Our Journey

Sergey and Abdulah's Road Trip 2022

Bringing the FIAS official SAMBO to New Zealand

SAMBO NZ founding members travelled extensively in a campervan to meet sportspeople, a journey lasting over an extended period and involving the two main islands of New Zealand.

Astana, Kazakhstan. November 2024

Selected athletes travelled to Kazakhstan to compete representing New Zealand

Bradlee Wong, (Sport SAMBO -71kg)

Eddie Taliai (Combat SAMBO - 89kg)

Leyia West

Team support:

Sergey SAMBO NZ President

Taras Barbashin SAMBO NZ vice-president

History Made in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2025!

Massive congratulations to Layia WEST Hamilton Sambo and Lily Houben CORE MMA for making history — the first Kiwis to win gold medals at an international Sambo competition! Both athletes secured their victories in dominant fashion, finishing their matches by submission.

The entire team, including Te O Kura Norman and coach Carlo Meister, embodied the true Kiwi “can-do” spirit — adapting to travel, enduring a week of intense training sessions hosted by SAMBO ASSOCIATION OF UZB and invited coach Sergei Stoliarov and then stepping up on the world stage.

This was a huge collective and individual effort that’s firmly put New Zealand SAMBO Federation on the international map !

A special shoutout to Sergey Permitin , President of NZ Sambo — congratulations on this incredible milestone.

To all the NZ Sambo supporters, athletes, coaches, gyms, parents, families, and the entire NZ Sambo whānau — this victory belongs to all of you.

2025 Asian & Oceania Sambo Championships — Tashkent, Uzbekistan samboasia_official International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

RULES SUMMARY

correct as of 25 May 2025

COMBAT SAMBO:

all chokes are allowed including with the Gi
no strikes to the head when the head is on the ground.
no points for strikes unless they knock down the opponent
only Sambo Shoes or bare feet will be allowed due to kicks. NO wrestling shoes.

SPORT SAMBO:

How to win:

Painful Hold Submission
8 Point Majority
Total Victory (clean throw to back while remaining standing)
If opponent gets three penalties from ref, you win.
if you have more points at the end of the match.

How to score: Sport & Combat Sambo

(points double if you remain standing)

4 Points:

Falls to back - Hold down / pin for 20 seconds (torso to chest contact with the opponents back forced to the mat)* including from inside guard.

2 points:

Falls to their bottom, side (ribs area)
Hold down / pin for 10 seconds (torso to chest contact with the opponents back forced to the mat) * including from inside guard.

1 point:

Falls to their hip, waist, shoulder, belly and chest (for points to be awarded attacks must be started from the standing position).

Penalties:

penalties will be giving for inactivity, gripping violations and misconduct.

1st warning = 0 points
2nd warning 1 point to opponent
3rd warning = 1 points to opponent.
4th waring = will result in losing the match.

Click here for a full version of the International Fias Sambo Rules.

SAMBO CLUBS

Local clubs you can join to enjoy the friendship community vibe

New Zealand Sambo Federation HQ

Hamilton Kirikiriroa SAMBO

Classes

Classes Poster

Classes within Gyms

Check out Sambo and combined classes that feature a Sambo component

Auckland,Mount Roskill: Dilmurodov BJJ & Sambo

Auckland, Glenfield: JudoKwai

Auckland, Pakuranga: Auckland MMA

Hamilton, Central: CORE MMA

New Plymouth, Bellblock, Southern Tribes Waiwhakaiho

About The New Zealand SAMBO Federation

A diverse and generous team dedicated to developing the sport of SAMBO in New Zealand through periodic qualifying events, coach and official training and working with existing martial arts sporting organisations and commercial gyms.

The varied backgrounds of our team provide skills and networks to build SAMBO both within existing martial arts and sports communities and through bringing brand new people to the sport at the grassroots of New Zealand society.