Sambo

Sambo - (also called Sombo and sometimes written in upper case) is a modern martial art, combat sport and self-defence system developed in the Soviet Union.

The word Sambo is an abbreviation of "SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya" meaning "self-defence without a weapon" in Russian.

Although Sambo has its roots in traditional folk wrestling and foreign martial arts like Judo (the founder of Sambo studied under the founder of Judo and acquired a 2nd degree black belt in this sport), this martial art is relatively new: on November 16, 1938, the sport was recognised by USSR National Committee of Physical Culture.