LNSPORTS | Official Media Coverage
THESSALONIKI, GREECE — The first day of the World Cadets, Youth and Juniors SAMBO Championships 2026 concluded in Thessaloniki, Greece, with youth athletes competing for international honours across men’s and women’s Sport SAMBO weight categories at the PAOK Sports Arena.
The championship, taking place from October 2 to 4, has brought together 713 athletes representing 40 countries, marking a record number of participating nations in the history of the competition. A total of 55 sets of medals are scheduled to be awarded across the championship programme.
Ukraine Secures Multiple Podium Finishes
Ukrainian athletes made their presence felt on the opening day, earning medals in several youth categories.
Ukraine’s Day 1 Medal Winners
Youth Men
- 64 kg: Matviei Turchyn — Bronze
- 88 kg: Kyrylo Vasylynch — Bronze
- 98 kg: Ivan Adamchuk — Bronze
Youth Women
- 47 kg: Oksana Maliuta — Bronze
- 54 kg: Khrystyna Krysan — Silver
- 59 kg: Khrystyna Krysan — Gold
- 72 kg: Karina Raus — Silver
- 80 kg: Anastasiia Maiduda — Bronze
These results highlight Ukraine’s competitiveness across both men’s and women’s youth divisions and provide an encouraging start to the country’s campaign at the international championship.
International Champions Crowned Across Youth Divisions
The opening day featured intense competition among athletes from Europe and Asia, with representatives of Russia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and other nations reaching the podium.
In the youth men’s events, Mongolia’s Temuujin Mendساikhan won the under-53 kg title, while Russia secured several gold medals through Alii Tsei, Nikita Streltsov, Amin Ermolaev, Aleksandr-Shain Kvachantiradze and Denis Kuligin. Uzbekistan also celebrated victories, with Abdulloh Raxmonov winning the under-79 kg category and Shohjahon Golibov taking gold at under 98 kg.
In the youth women’s division, Russian athletes captured several titles. Ukrainian competitors also delivered standout performances, including Krysan’s gold-medal finish in the under-59 kg category and silver in the under-54 kg division, as listed in the supplied results.
Three Days of World-Class SAMBO Competition
The World Cadets, Youth and Juniors SAMBO Championships features Sport SAMBO competitions for cadets aged 14–16, youth athletes aged 16–18, and juniors aged 18–20. Junior men are also competing in Combat SAMBO.
With the opening-day youth finals completed, attention now turns to the remaining events as athletes continue their pursuit of world titles in Thessaloniki.
LNSPORTS will continue to provide updates, medal results and highlights from the World SAMBO Championships 2026 in Greece.