Nigeria will make a return to global stage by making its second appearance at the 2025 World Sambo Championships, scheduled to take place from November 7 to 9 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Sambo, a dynamic combat sport derived from judo, jujutsu, boxing, and folk wrestling, is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and continues to gain traction in Africa.
Organised by the Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS), the World Sambo Championships represent the pinnacle of the sport, featuring elite competitors in Sport Sambo, Combat Sambo, and Blind Sambo (SVI1 category).
Nigeria’s Representatives at the Sambo World Championships
Nigeria will be represented by three athletes; Fatai Balogun, Samuel Kekere, and Sodiq Ajibade, all competing in the combat and blind sambo categories.
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Fatai Balogun (Men’s 88kg Combat Sambo):- The experienced fighter will compete in one of the most competitive divisions, seeking to improve Nigeria’s ranking in the combat category.
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Samuel Kekere (Men’s 64kg Blind Sambo):- Kekere made history in 2024 as the first African to compete in Blind Sambo at the World Championships. He returns to the global stage determined to better his debut performance.
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Sodiq Ajibade (Men’s 98kg Blind Sambo):- Making his World Championships debut, Ajibade will look to follow in Kekere’s footsteps and push for Nigeria’s first podium finish.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, Samuel Kekere expressed his gratitude to both the international and national bodies supporting the Nigerian contingent:
Kekere also praised the growing recognition of Blind Sambo, calling it “a life-changing opportunity for visually impaired athletes to showcase their strength and skill.”
Sambo World Championships Prize Fund
The 2025 Sambo Championships will feature top sambists from across the globe, with a total prize fund of $341,000, to be distributed equally across all disciplines, to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
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Gold medalists: $4,000
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Silver medalists: $3,000
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Bronze medalists: $2,000
Competitions in Sport Sambo will feature a repechage system from the finalists, while Combat Sambo will be contested without repechage.
Nigerian Officials to Attend World Sambo Congress
The President of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, Loveth Howell, alongside Sheriff Hammed, will represent the country at the World Sambo Congress in Bishkek.
Their participation aims to strengthen Nigeria’s ties with FIAS and explore pathways for further development of the sport at grassroots and national levels, as the nation continues to grow its presence in the globally recognised martial art.
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