Pilipinas ang host ng Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships na gaganapin sa Ninoy Aquino Stadium sa Maynila sa Hunyo 23 hanggang 28.
Ang sambo ay isang uri ng martial arts na gumagamit ng hataw, sipa at pakikipagbuno.
Dalawampu’t syam na bansa at humigit kumulang 500 atleta ang maglalaban para sa 72 gintong medalya sa youth, junior at adult division.
Kabilang sa mga kalahok ay Australia, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and South Korea.
May basbas ang kumpetisyon mula sa International Sambo Federation (FIAS) at sa Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania (SUAO).
“In our 10 years as an association, we have produced a world No. 1 and Asian champion in Sydney Tancontian, and we hope she inspires young athletes as we host this championship,” ani Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. president Paolo Tancontian.
Si Tancontian, 26, ay lalaban para sa ikaapat na gold medal sa women’s +80kg.
Una syang nagwagi noong 2019 (India), 2021 (Lebanon) at 2025 (Uzbekistan).
“Siyempre may pressure pa rin po kasi maraming makakakita and everyone wants to watch. Kailangan galingan naming lahat para patuloy din ‘yong suporta,” ani Tancontian.
Ang torneo ay kasama sa pamamahala ng National Sport Tourism–Inter Agency Committee na pinangungunahan ni Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Pato Gregorio.
“Sambo is a sport that needs exposure in the Philippines. Although it’s not an Olympic sport, it is included in the World Games and Asian Games, and we hope grassroots development will allow it to flourish,’’ ani Gregorio