It is my extreme pleasure to announce that the AMERICAN SAMBO ASSOCIATION in conjunction with USKBA Action Sports will be hosting the 2004 North American Freestyle Sambo Championships on September 4th and 5th at the Rexplex Sports Center ( www.rexplex.com ) in Elizabeth, New Jersey – just minutes from Manhattan and literally across the highway from Newark International Airport!
Why create a new format of Freestyle Sambo? Because it can only benefit our sport. Like wrestling - which has Collegiate, Freestyle, and Greco Roman – why not offer an additional apolitical venue to test different skills, meet our peers, build friendships, and spread the word about Sambo? Freestyle Sambo rules fill a gap between Sport and Combat Sambo, offer a competitive choice in the crowded American grappling tournament scene, and generates interest with other jacket wrestling/grappling styles that may have avoided traditional Sport Sambo competitions in the past. We intend to invite players from Judo, JuJitsu, Shuai Jiao, Wrestling, Pancrase, Shootfighting, or any other styles who want to put on a jacket and roll with us. For a complete rules summary, registration information, travel and hotel information, or any other questions please e-mail me at americansamboassociation@att.net You may also read a complete set of Freestyle Sambo rules in the tournament section of www.worldwidegrappling.com
Keep an eye out at www.uskba.com for the official launching our event and other posted information! Let's make Sambo the best in the US!
Stephen Koepfer
President, American Sambo Association
Sounds great!
Just get one going closer to me and I will give it a run.
SamboSteve: in your honest opinion how do you think someone who studies almost exclusively in judo would do in a sambo tourny?
i will get in some sambo lessons this year but not many at all.. just curious
also is this frowned upoon or looked down at.. you know what i mean i hope..
Thanks!
Many Judoka do Sambo.
Hi guys,
Those are good questions.
To start, I think Judoka will do great and should be encouraged to attend. As Brian stated, there are many judo/sambo cross polinizations out there. Outside the US, this is much more common. Also, remember, these are not standard sport sambo rules. Under Freestyle Sambo rules, Judoka can use more of their typical arsinal - chokes in particular. There is more ground time allowed, and other changes. Did you check out the rules on worldwidegrappling.com? Go to the tournament forum there - you can read them.
Regarding politics, only time will tell. Many sports have various sets of rules that highlight different aspects of the arts - why should Sambo be different. So far reviews have been great. I have recieved very kind words and support from Scott Sonnon for example. But, this new format really only serves to highlight Sambo in all its forms. For many reasons, Sambo has not taken off in the US. A fresh change, in my opinion, will helop jump start some interest in ALL types of Sambo.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks Steve,
Just checking sounds fun i will be there...
I definately plan on getting sambo lessons in i have schools in warwick Ny i can attend and in scranton PA. and maybe in NYC if possible :)
there are a few black belt sambo guys that go to my judo club and they have some great technique.. especially sacrifice throws.. i really respect the art.
I also want them to help me with pickups. I really really want to improve that aspect of my game and I think Sambo is really going to help me with that..
Thanks again
27Crazyfeet!
Cool,
I look forward to meeting you there! I know the schools you refer to...I think we discussed this on the forum once? If you are in manhattan, drop by to train.
In any event, drop me an e-mail and I will send you the registration info, fact sheet, and rules summary.
BTW, while not confirmed yet, it seems the Japanese National Sambo Team is planning on attending.
Peace,
Steve
SuperMarioSak, I look forward to hearing from you
americansamboassociation@att.net
SuperMario - where do you train?
SamboSteve: I live in jersey so I would really like to train with you one day...
I would like to get a few sambo lessons in first and they are much more convenient for me (James in scranton and the warwick school) yeah we talked about that before and i really appreciate it..
Ill drop you a line shortly
Thanks again!!!
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Hi Sambo Steve,
Good rules. But Ive spoke to loads of people about this comp, and they all say that it would be better if chokes using the jacket (gi/kurkta) should not be allowed. This is for a few reasons:
1)it keeps the ne-waza much more fast paced
2)it's the one thing most combat sambo comps do not allow-keeps things consistant. I was always thought that the founders of Sambo found gi-chokes un-sportsmanly.
3)gi-chokes become ridiculous with people un-doing their jacket/using the belt etc.
4)more spectator friendly
5)Allowing gi-chokes favours BJJ greatly. Not allowing gi-chokes would encourage atheletes from no-gi backgrounds to enter more.
That aside the competition sounds fantastic. Good luck.
Matthew
Hi Matt,
All good comments. I must say that the rules are set at this point however, I do appreciate the feedback. You make some very good points. We may end up changing them for next year depending how it turns out this year.
In response...
"1)It keeps the ne-waza much more fast paced"
True, it may in fact do that. But, it may not as well.
"2)It's the one thing most combat sambo comps do not allow-keeps things consistant. I was always thought that the founders of Sambo found gi-chokes un-sportsmanly."
True, other sambo formats do not include gi chokes. But, why keep things consistant? Let's challenge ourselves a bit. I'm sure Spiridinov and Oschepkov practice chokes...especially with Oschepkov's judo background. I don't know if they called ground work ne-waza though - just a joke :o) I know many sambo schools who do practice chokes. I did not include standing chokes so throws and takedowns would be emphasised. I also included slamming, which many BJJ guys would think is not cool. I got a funny e-mail from some Shuai Chiao guys who said I was racisit becuase they could not use short sleeve jackets. You can't please everyone. I have received very positive feedback from Lance Campbell of USSA, Scott Sonnon, and many others.
"3)Gi-chokes become ridiculous with people un-doing their jacket/using the belt etc."
This will not happen. The refs will stop such craziness. Besides all belt knots will be taped closed. I am no judo guy but, I don't think taking off a belt and choking with it is legal.
"4)More spectator friendly"
This may or may not be the case. There's nobody going to see sambo as it stands in this country as it is.
"5)Allowing gi-chokes favours BJJ greatly. Not allowing gi-chokes would encourage atheletes from no-gi backgrounds to enter more."
Like I said above, there are aspects of the rules that favor different folks differently. BJJ guys won't like the limited ground time or slamming. Sport Sambo guys will not like chokes. There are plenty other examples. In the end, there are 9 months to train and get ready for the event.
In the end, anytime new rules are introduced there will be changes over time. This is the first time out with these...let's see how this goes and make changes for next year. It is thoughtful (non-troll) feedback like yours and others that will help this along.
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks for your reply. Good comments as always.
I'm glad you have included a slamming rule.
Best wishes for the event. I will encourage everyone I meet to enter.
take care
Matthew