New Zealand SAMBO Federation

17/06/2026

The New Zealand Sambo Federation is broadening its collaborative efforts.
During a recent visit to Japan, NZSF President Sergey Permitin had the opportunity to meet with one of Japan’s most esteemed Sambo practitioners, Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU, to whom he presented the Honorary Gold Medal of the New Zealand Sambo Federation. Sensei Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU is a former national 🇯🇵 champion in both Judo and Sambo in Japan.
He actively promotes Sambo in Japan and other Asian countries, having established robust international exchanges in Mongolia and the Philippines through Judo, Sambo, and international education initiatives.
Notably, Victor Tadashi Itakusu holds the titles of Master of Sport from the USSR and Master of Sports in Mongolia, and has received a National Honorary Medal in Sambo in the Philippines.
Plans are underway for him to visit New Zealand next year to conduct a Sambo seminar and masterclass, as well as hosting Sambo Team NZ 🇳🇿 at Sambo Camp in Kamamoto, Japan .

17/06/2026

Back in the History 2023.
We are proud!!!
Ben Geddes - first in the history of International and NZ Sambo, silver medalist in Impaired vision and Blind squadron of Sambo . International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

Paralympics New Zealand

17/06/2026

The New Zealand Sambo Federation is broadening its collaborative efforts.
During a recent visit to Japan, NZSF President Sergey Permitin had the opportunity to meet with one of Japan's most esteemed Sambo practitioners, Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU, to whom he presented the Honorary Gold Medal of the New Zealand Sambo Federation. Sensei Victor Tadashi ITAKUSU is a former national 🇯🇵 champion in both Judo and Sambo in Japan.
He actively promotes Sambo in Japan and other Asian countries, having established robust international exchanges in Mongolia and the Philippines through Judo, Sambo, and international education initiatives.
Notably, Victor Tadashi Itakusu holds the titles of Master of Sport from the USSR and Master of Sports in Mongolia, and has received a National Honorary Medal in Sambo in the Philippines.
Plans are underway for him to visit New Zealand next year to conduct a Sambo seminar and masterclass, as well as hosting Sambo Team NZ 🇳🇿 at Sambo Camp in Kamamoto, Japan .
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

17/06/2026

Welcome to NZ Sambo Family
Team Hammerhead Mixed Martial Arts Central Otago

🚨THE BUCKETLIST 4🚨
🔥Join our 10 week MMA bootcamp and finish it off with a fight night in Cromwell
⚠️Starting 20th July
🏠 36 Ree Crescent, Cromwell
🏠 5 Limerick Street, Alexandra
📍Kickboxing
📍Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
📍Wrestling / Sambo
📍 Bannockburn Kyokushin Karate
📍 Alexandra JUDO CHAMP Academy
📍Mixed Martial Arts

11/06/2026

As the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships draw closer, Eddie’s preparation has been built on consistency, discipline, and hard work. His training has focused heavily on conditioning, grappling, wrestling, and judo, with an emphasis on sharpening the skills that will be most important on the Sambo mat.

As part of his preparation, Eddie recently competed in a wrestling tournament, securing a 1st place finish. The competition provided valuable match experience and an opportunity to get back into a tournament environment ahead of the championships.

The next phase of his preparation will involve intensive Sambo sparring, where he’ll put months of technical development, conditioning, and hard work to the test against quality training partners.

Outside of training, Eddie has remained committed to his nutrition and recovery, sticking closely to his meal plan to ensure he is on track to make weight and perform at his best when it matters most.

With the Asia & Oceania Sambo Championships fast approaching, the work continues. Every session, every match, and every sacrifice is another step towards representing New Zealand Sambo on the international stage

10/06/2026

The crew at Hamilton Sambo continues to put in the hard work as preparations ramp up for the upcoming Asia Oceania Championships.

With consistent training, technical development, and a strong focus on conditioning, the team is building momentum and sharpening their skills for competition.

Every session is an opportunity to improve, with athletes pushing each other to raise the standard and develop the discipline, resilience, and teamwork that Sambo demands. The commitment shown on and off the mats reflects the dedication required to compete at the international level.

A big thank you to the coaches, training partners, and supporters who continue to contribute to the team's journey.

Head over to Hamilton Sambo to follow along with the progress

09/06/2026

Big thanks to

Donna Manderson

for all of your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!

04/06/2026

SAMBO is FAMILY-POWER-PEACE

Check out this song 🎵
https://suno.com/s/TXUY6yG6FZfzbKV1

In the flow of the moves, we learn to release,
From the ground to the clouds, we discover our peace.
With every cycle, we find a way to grow,
In the heart of Sambo, our spirit will always know.

Strength in unity — that’s what we breathe,
Through every battle, through every weave.
Stand tall, stand proud, we will never divide,
With Sambo as family, we stand side by side.

Sambo is family, come take my hand, let’s rise,
In the dance of combat, we reach for the skies.
Sambo is power, a strength that unites,
In the heart of the struggle, we find our light.

Every throw, every step, every lesson we share,
Builds a bond that grows stronger with trust and care.
Across every nation, beneath every sun,
Different paths together, yet our hearts beat as one.

No matter the challenges, no matter the scars,
We fight with our spirits, we reach for the stars.
In this circle of trust, we discover our grace,
Together we move forward, together we embrace.

Sambo is family, come take my hand, let’s rise,
In the dance of combat, we reach for the skies.
Sambo is power, a strength that unites,
In the heart of the struggle, we find our light.

Sambo is peace, it’s the love that we share,
Together we stand, together we care.
Feel the embrace of this art that we claim,
In the soul of Sambo, we carry its name.

International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

03/06/2026

Islam Makhachev – SAMBO Ambassador to the World.

“If we're talking about me personally, about Khabib, about Fedor Emelianenko – I think that those who know MMA would agree, and I'm almost afraid to say it, that the best fighters are precisely the representatives of SAMBO. And the reason I say this is that SAMBO is one of the best options for those who want to transition to MMA, because everything carries over – it's essentially the same thing, just with a kurtka on. The same strikes, and in some aspects SAMBO is even more intense – you could even strike with your head.”
International SAMBO Federation - FIAS

26/05/2026

Executive committee of NZ Sambo Federation happy to announce:
Sambo Team NZ 🇳🇿for Asia & Oceania SAMBO Championships / Manila -2026 as following :
1. Lily HOUBEN JSS -80
2. ⁠Eddie TALIAI CS -79
3. ⁠Hamish MURRAY SS -71
4. ⁠Rickson HILL CS -88
5. ⁠Jediah LEILUA CS 98+
6. ⁠Carlo MEISTER coach
7. ⁠Renea MANDERSON coach
8. ⁠Sergey PERMITIN president NZ Sambo Federation