Nigeria Names Four Athletes for 50th World SAMBO Championships in Uzbekistan

Posted : 02 November 2026

Nigeria will send a four-member team to the 50th World SAMBO Championships scheduled to take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from November 6 to 8, 2026. The country will compete against athletes from more than 90 nations as it seeks to strengthen its growing presence in international SAMBO.

The Nigerian contingent comprises Amara Bella Udeze, who will compete in the women's 59kg category, and Ogechi Favour Udeze in the 50kg division. Heavyweight athlete Akintunde Adewunmi Sherifat and Blind SAMBO competitor Rukayat Taiwo Sulieman complete the team.

According to the Sambo Association of Nigeria, three of the athletes secured sponsorship from sports promoter Osagie Omoregbe, popularly known as BIGJUDO. The financial support will help facilitate their participation in the international competition.

The team is expected to depart Nigeria ahead of the three-day championship, which will take place at the Game Sports Arena in Tashkent's Olympic Village.

Historic Edition Introduces Women's Blind SAMBO

The 2026 championship marks the 50th edition of the World SAMBO Championships and will feature competitions in Sport SAMBO, Combat SAMBO and Blind SAMBO.

Organisers have confirmed that 33 sets of medals will be contested across the three-day event. One of the biggest developments is the introduction of women's Blind SAMBO to the World Championships programme for the first time.

The competition will feature SVI1 athletes, representing competitors who are totally blind. The development forms part of the International SAMBO Federation's efforts to expand opportunities for athletes with visual impairments.

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov described the inclusion as an important milestone in the development of the sport, highlighting the federation's commitment to making international competition more accessible.

The golden jubilee championship will also attract prominent personalities, including SAMBO ambassadors Fedor Emelianenko and Islam Makhachev. Both are expected to attend the opening ceremony and other activities surrounding the competition.

Nigeria Builds on Blind SAMBO Achievements

Nigeria heads into the competition encouraged by several notable performances on the international stage, particularly in Blind SAMBO.

At the 2025 World SAMBO Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sodiq Ajibade won bronze in the men's up-to-98kg Blind SAMBO category. His achievement made him the first African blind sambist to secure a medal at the World Championships.

Rukayat Taiwo Sulieman also made history in 2025 after winning gold at the World SAMBO Cup in Yerevan, Armenia. She became the first female blind sambist to win gold at a major international competition organised by FIAS.

Nigeria's progress continued in April 2026 when Rukayat Taiwo and Elizabeth Aseso became the first African women to compete in Blind SAMBO at a world-level title event. They participated in the 54kg and 59kg categories respectively at the World SAMBO Cup in Yerevan under coach Sherifat Akintunde.

Prize Money and International Competition

The 50th World SAMBO Championships will feature a total prize fund of $363,000. Gold medallists will receive $4,000, silver medallists will earn $3,000, while bronze medallists will collect $2,000 each.

With four athletes representing the country, Nigeria will be looking to build on its previous achievements and secure further recognition in international SAMBO.

The competition also provides another opportunity for the country's Blind SAMBO athletes to demonstrate their abilities as the discipline receives greater international attention.

Nigeria Names Four Athletes for 50th World SAMBO Championships in Uzbekistan

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