Wednesday, May 29, 2013

F.I.A.S. History Sambo from 1985


The past year have been a disruptive year for F.I.A.S. (Federation International Amateur Sambo)  a pinnacle point was last March when Senior Members of the F.I.A.S. Council were suspended,. Their suspension and the reason for their suspension has yet to be explained and as such legal proceedings are being taken by the suspended members. I cannot understand why we have reached this point, which only brings International Sambo into disrepute no matter who is right or wrong.
So I have decided to look to the past as sometimes History can help the future. In 1985 Fernando Compte brought together many countries interested in Sambo and on May 16th 1985 in Bilbao Spain F.I.A.S. was formed. 25 countries took part in this momentous event you will see these countries list below. What was important was the Cosmopolitan F.I.A.S. Council and its Council members compared that with todays FIAS Council which is dominated by Ex Eastern Block Countries. F.I.A.S. today is a much larger organisation with highly well organised events but one has to ask the question do the administration of F.I.A.S. have the passion for Sambo of  those original members or is it just another Sport Business.  It seems all the International Sports Organisation are moving down the path of their sports just becoming a vehicle to make money and gain power. They seem to have lost the passion for their Sport  being  involved just for the love of the sport?


You will notice that the British Representative was Burt Jacobs he was the President of the British Wrestling Association. Like many of the new members they originally were associated with their countries National Wrestling Associations. The following year Burt Jacobs and the BWA asked me to form a separate independent Sambo organisation for Great Britain. The reason they asked me was I was Chairman of the Sombo Wrestling Sub Committee of BWA and had organised the very successful British Team at the 1985 World Games. So in 1986 the British Sombo Federation was formed which is now one of he longest serving member of F.I.A.S. I was to become FIAS Treasures in 1989 serving on the FIAS Council and for a while I held the title of European President unlike today it was more of an Honorary position, the BSF went on support FIAS Championships winning many International medals, it also held the 1989 European Championships and 1992 World Championships in Herne Bay Kent and the BSF have held over 20 British Opens







So why the name change? In the English language the name Sambo is a derogatory name for Black people, it originated in the USA and was to do with the slave trade. Many suggested we changed because of the PC brigade this was  not completely true. In the early days of Sambo came under the umbrella of F.I.L.A.  (International Amateur Wrestling Association) so in GB the BWA were in charge and they decided rather then use the word Sambo they would use the word Cambo, in the Cyrillic alphabet the sound of an S is shown as a C. It was Josh Henson from the USA who came up with the idea of the use of the word Sombo for use by the English speaking countries and this was accepted by F.I.A.S. Strangely enough only the USA an GB use the word Sombo, Commonwealth countries use the word Sambo they seem to have forgotten the link to slavery, yet we have been advised that if we changed the name back we would lose our Sports Council (Governing body for Sport in UK) recognition. Although we receive no financial help for UKSport it is still prestigious to be recognised as your Government Recognised body plus many have been brought up with name.

Since those early days  Sambo has changed there has been many changes in the demography of F.I.A.S before the collapse of the Soviet Union many of the Eastern Block Countries were not separate members of FIAS including Russia. Many of the original countries have had several different organisations representing them, looking back to 1986 when the BSF was formed it seems the only Countries with the same original organisations are Great Britain, Japan, Morocco, Bulgaria, Mongolia. The World of Sambo has seen many changes at one time there were three organisation claiming to be the World body and in 1993 with the collapse of communism, the new independent countries tried to take over F.I.A.S. which led to a split with one representing the West and the other the East, this would last for nearly 10 years and was the superb negotiating skills of ex FIAS President David Rudman who united all the different factions and made F.I.A.S. once again a united World Wide Body. Ironically the new F.I.A.S. regime have suspended David from the Council for the rather strange conviction of bringing Sambo into disrepute as of yet no one has told me exactly what that means or what he has done.

So why have I wrote this article it seems there are some in F.I.A.S. who want to change the history of Sambo, there some who want break up organisations of long standing because they no longer conform. This cannot happen to the British Sombo Federation unlike some countries we are a constituted amateur organisation recognised by the British Government and more importantly we conform to all F.I.A.S. membership requirements. The question is how many other F.I.A.S. Countries can claim the same and will F.I.A.S keep the same membership requirement?

On a final point is Sambo originally a Russian Combat System or is it a product of the old USSR? if it is the latter all the old Soviet Republics can claim to be founders? 

Martin Clarke
F.I.A.S. Grand Master
F.I.A.S. Service Gold medal
FIAS Special award for service to International Sambo

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

No Sambo.TV at Europeans?

Many of you have asked why Sambo.TV was not at the European Sambo Championships in Italy. I did not know the answer so I contacted Sambo.TV. You may also be interested in a video clip of the Pan American Congress. Lets hope one day Sambo.TV will visit the British Open


Dear fans of Sambo and visitors of the site!
The leadership of the TV channel SAMBO.TV informs you that there won’t be direct transmission of the championship of Europe of Sambo on the TV channel SAMBO.TV for the reasons that don’t depend from us. The current leadership of European Federation of Sambo tries to block the work of SAMBO.TV.
We phoned repeatedly, wrote letters to European Federation of Sambo about accreditation of our camera crew of SAMBO.TV on the championship of Europe, but all these letters were left without response.
Despite this we sent camera crew of SAMBO.TV to Italy to shoot all events of Sambo that take place in the city of Crema, and also to keep video diaries of the championship of Europe. Also on the Congress of European Federation of Sambo we planned to put a question to discuss why the direct transmission was frustrated again, and the question about access of TV channel SAMBO.TV to all events related with sambo, moreover we concluded active contracts with all principal Federations of Sambo, including All-Russian, European and International and we are the official partner of these Federations.
But on the 17th of May the leadership of European Federation of Sambo didn’t admit our camera crew to work on the Congress of Common Federation of Sambo, trying to chuck out by force our correspondent and cameraman not allowing them to stay even with the camera shut off. Due to the existing practice such situation took place for the first time in 10 years. Before that we shooted Congresses and other events related with sambo, and this had never caused any problems.
See the live commentary.
What does the leadership of European Federation of Sambo conceal from sambo community? Why do they try to get rid off the work of TV channel SAMBO.TV, that popularized actively during all these years this kind of sport and the work of these Federations. We are deeply disturbed by existing situation and also by the fact that they try to destroy the created system of video transmissions not even having created active alternative to replace it. As a result, our kind of sport suffers and we don’t have possibility to observe live competitions and even video records of them.
Despite all attempts of European Federation of Sambo and FIAS directed to liquidation of the channel SAMBO.TV, we would struggle by all legal and juridicial methods to eliminate this lawlessness of current leadership of Federations.
We beg pardon of our permanent audience that wouldn’t be able to watch the direct transmission of the championship of Europe of Sambo.
In our opinion, coverage of sambo events and competitions should be hold by the number as big as possible of TV companies, particularly by the official TV channel SAMBO.TV, because it promotes popularization of Sambo all over the world.
Executive of the TV channel SAMBO.TV Philippov M.V.



World Wide Sambo

I have just received the email below from Maxim Filippov.

We are slowly seeing the demise of International Sambo and why is because of Power or is it Money? it doesn't seem to be about promoting World Wide Sambo. I have yet to find out the truth, all I know a lot of damage is being done by these rival Russian factions. Sambo.TV has always done an excellent job of promoting Sambo so as the saying goes "If it is not broke why fix it" The BSF is trying to take a neutral stance but get no real support from FIAS who ever runs it. The British Open is nearly upon us and we hope to have relative good turn out but as of today no support from FIAS or ESF





Dear Martin,

We posted official information from Sambo.TV channel about current situation. The live broadcast of European Sambo Championship in Italy again was wrecked.

You can see Official Letter by the following link:


English translation of this letter you can find in the end of the page in PDF Format.

Best regards,




Maxim Filippov
Project Director,
FUND FOR SAMBO SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT


With all the problems there is with FIAS one would have thought some sort of compromise would be achieved but instead we get a circular from Korea calling respected FIAS Personel "Wolves" and making accusations without any content. It like saying to a man "have you beaten your wife?" when there is no suggestion that you have. The Korean President should put online what these people have supposably done rather then say they have made negative comments and are harmfull to FIAS, which means nothing and a detrimental remark without any substance.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Revised IBF UK Dan Grading Requirements


IBF UK Dan Grading Examination 2013
Requirements for all candidates.
Part 1
·      Part 1 (points available 200) Candidate to demonstrate 10 counters and 10 combinations of their choice, on the move.
·      Part 2 (points available 150) Candidate to demonstrate 5 ground holds, 5 arm locks and 5 strangles of their choice. (These must be done in a practical way)
·      Part 3 (points available 100) Candidate to demonstrate 10 throw from the Gokyo, of the examiners choice.
·      Part 4 (points available 50) 10 Questions on Japanese terminology
Total points available 500
Part 2
1st Dan (16 years of age or above)                 
Nage-no-kata
2nd Dan (18 years of age or above)
Katame-no-Kata
3rd Dan (21 years of age or above)
Gonosen-no-Kata
4th Dan (30 years of age or above)
Goshin Jitsu
All the katas above are worth 500 points.
All Candidates must have an understanding of IJF rules Pass mark for all the above is 85%. Candidates maybe asked to prove their prowess in Randori/Shiai. Extra marks will be given to those who compete and record of this must be given to examiner

There will be two Dan grading courses a year, one in Bedford in January and one in Sittingbourne in August. Dates to be confirmed.
These will be 7 hour courses, with continual assessment of all the above, appropriate to candidates desired grade.




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Kent Open Sombo Report


Kent Open Sombo Championship
For Junior & Seniors
Sunday March 19th 2013

British Sombo Centre of Excellence
Sittingbourne


Medal Winners



Over the last couple years people taking part in competitive sports has been on a rapid decline with many tournaments across all form of Martial Arts/Combat Discipline being cancelled. The so called Olympic legacy has proved a damp squid what it produced was a population that wants to watch sport rather then participate and of course made all those companies involved in the Olympics very rich including a few Olympians. So the organisers were shocked to see the response to the Kent Open we had Somboist from Bedford, Essex and all over Kent participating and the only category we could not fill was the Ladies section. Ladies Judo is very popular but for some reason Ladies Sombo is not.


To attract more people to Sombo we lowered the standard of equipment, in the past we would insist on full Sombo kit i.e. Red and Blue Sombo Jackets, Sombo Shorts plus Sombo Boots but sometimes you have to realise that we are in very hard financial time. Not every one who wants to try Sombo for the first time can afford or wants to buy equipment, so the organisers loaned equipment, plus allowed Judo Jackets various coloured shorts and bare feet. This was why we had such a good entry, with some of the players having a minimum of 5 matches


All the fights were good but it was the men’s Open and Heavy weight section that created some real interest. Very experienced Sombo Wrestler Danny Carrott won the Open weight division with great gusto at 92 kilo he was still somewhat over his normal fighting weight but this did not prove a hindrance as he used full array of skills, throws, hold-downs and submissions. 82 kilo Jamie Marzetti cam second but had to work hard for his place nearly losing to Heavyweight newcomer from Bedford.   Went on to win the Heavyweight section but one of the best throws of the day was from Amateur MMA Coach Michael Hutchinson, who threw Jamie Marzetti with a near perfect inner thigh throw (Uchi Mata) what was so unique about was Michael doesn’t do any Jacket Grappling and only learnt the technique in a CombatSombo class, he now tells me he will be doing some Jacket Grappling after his MMA class on a Wednesday.

It always surprises me that more Junior Judoka do not take part in Sombo events as the similarities to the sport are very similar in fact those who have done Judo for more then 25 years have reported that it bares a striking resemblance to what Judo was in those days. The Russian will try and say it was a sport invented by them but if you look back into the history of Sambo the founders were students of Jigaro Kano. Some Judoka still have the belief that once you do Judo you cannot do any other grappling form as it may hinder their Judo development to me this is nonsense. Just look around the World and see the amount of different styles of Jacket Wrestling’s styles there are, Kurash, Sambo, Mongolian Bokh, Georgian Chidaoba, BJJ Cornish Wrestling to name a few all have similarities. The one thing that makes Judo different and more then just a sport is Kata but the competitive side of Judo can be enhanced by learning other styles and a lot of Judoka have excelled at all these other wrestling styles plus they have been very successful in MMA and Cage events.


The only real difference for Junior Sombo players is the scoring system; Judo still relies very much on the Japanese influence so we still have commands in Japanese plus we have the unusual scoring in that some scores are accumulate others are not which always confuses children and the their parents plus the unusual hand signal do not help. In Sombo everything is indicated on the hands and the scores are 1 point, 2 points, 4 points and Total Victory all scores are accumulative plus you can not lose out right on a hold on the ground one of the bug bears with parents of children. At the Kent Open a parent commented that within 3 matches she could understand roughly how the scoring worked. It is interesting to note that in the past I have organised events under the name of Points Scoring Judo and used Sombo rules and everyone enjoyed it but ask the same people or should I say their Coaches to try a Sombo event and the answer is NO we only do Judo.

It seem that Sombo is on the move upwards Spitfire Club in Folkestone will be organising a Southern Counties Open in August, Scotland’s Red Star Sambo have two events planned for July and September, Warriors Grappling Academy Sittingbourne have Jacket and No Jacket event planned for November and let not forget the British Open in Bedford in June, plus Bedford Grappling Academy has a Judo/Sombo event in October. Combat Sambo does not seem to want to take of in GB in spite of all the hard work done by National Coach Allan Clarkin.


You will find details attached of the British Sombo Open, which is being held in Bedford and organised by BSF International Co-ordinator Russell Dodds. Russell has decided to encourage more people to the sport , he will allow children to wear Judo Jackets and shorts for the adults proper colour coding will be expected but he will loaning equipment. The USA and Cameroon will be bring fighters for Sombo and Combat Sambo but as of yet he has no interest in the Combat Sambo if any of you want to have a go there will be a Doctor at the event to give you a medical.

WHAT IS COMBAT SAMBO

This Sport has developed from Sambo which is a Russian Jacket Wrestling Style, it has come about because of the interested of mixing Striking and Grappling Combat Sambo you wear the same equipment a Sambo player i.e. Sambo Jacket, Shorts and boots plus you have a head guard, Shin and instep proctors and light weight Combat Sambo Gloves. The match is on a matted area the scoring is the same as Sambo but you can also score by knocking your opponent out? It is a hard tough sport and is very spectacular but you have to be a certain type of person to do this real Mans Sport. Competitors have to 18 or over and have to have Doctors medical before competing


WHAT IS SPORTCOMBATSOMBO?

This is a watered down version of Combat Sambo with no strikes to the head while on the floor and the Head guard having to have full-face protection, these tournaments come under the auspices of the British CombatSombo Association

You may notice I have used the word Sambo and Sombo Sambo is the world wide pronunciation of the Sport, because of the racial connotations the English Speaking countries use the word Sombo

Want more details on Sombo or Warriors Grappling Academy go to www.sittingbourne.org or email IBFBCSA@Gmail.com

name  group position club
HARVEY TOLMAN 1 GOLD SPITFIRE JUDO/SOMBO CLUB
REGAN SANDS  SILVER YOUNG JUDO CLUB
JARED BUSTEN BRONZE WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
MATTHEW LOEFFLER 2 GOLD BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
LUKE SAUNDERS  SILVER BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
KIERON HIGGINS BRONZE WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
OLGA BALDYGA 3 GOLD BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
NICOLE SMIGELSKA SILVER YOUNG JUDO CLUB
DAVINA HIGGINS BRONZE WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
EMILY WOODS 4 GOLD WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
FRANCESCA ASPEY SILVER SPITFIRE JUDO/SOMBO CLUB
JACK SPROSTON 5 GOLD SPITFIRE JUDO/SOMBO CLUB
LEWIS CLARKE SILVER YOUNG JUDO CLUB
OLVER BRUTON LIGHTWEIGHT GOLD WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
SIM GRANT JONES  MEN SILVER BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
JED GOODRUM BRONZE WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
KEITH BROWN MASTERS GOLD WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
KEITH HADMAN MEN SILVER SPITFIRE JUDO/SOMBO CLUB
DAVID FRAZER BRONZE BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
WARREN LOEFFLER HEAVY WEIGHT GOLD BEDFORD GRAPPLING 
MICHAEL HUTCHINSON MEN SILVER WARRIORS GRAPPLING ACADEMY
AARON PETERSON BRONZE EESSEX SAMBO
DANNY CARROTT OPEN GOLD SPITFIRE JUDO/SOMBO CLUB
JAMIE MARZETTI SILVER UNIVERSITY SAMBO
WARREN LOEFFLER BRONZE BEDFORD GRAPPLING