Sunday, May 08, 2016
British 2016 Combat Sambo Championship
The British
Open Combat Sambo Championships
Report from Adam Lindop
With the
weigh ins for the open starting at 9am we arrived at 8.30 to ensure everything
was set up ready and all the paperwork in order. several of the fighters
arrived as we waited for the staff of the leisure centre to open up several
having arrived the night before and stayed in a hotel. After we were allowed
access to the building and had ensured that everything was in order we started
weighing fighters in, everything was running smoothly as the fighters arrived
they presented their license books for inspection and then got on the scales. As
the Irish contingent were not landing until 10am (the time the weigh ins were
due to end) I took the decision to extend the weigh in time until 10.30am, they
arrived just in time.
 |
| Adam Lindop Darren Richardson Referee Vadim Kolganov successful Scottish Coach |
With all
the officials now arrived the draw was completed and it was decided to keep all
the fighters from the same gyms separated in the first round. After the draw
the rules meeting commenced in the warm up area with Vadim Kolganov (Scotland's leading Sambo Coach)taking the
lead and Darrin Richardson assisting, the rules were covered in full as several
fighters had not fought Combat Sambo before.
With the rules meeting done the opening ceremony commenced with Mark Baker piping the fighters onto the mat and playing a few short tunes before I led the fighters back to the warm up area to get ready.
With the rules meeting done the opening ceremony commenced with Mark Baker piping the fighters onto the mat and playing a few short tunes before I led the fighters back to the warm up area to get ready.
Once the
fights started things in the main ran smoothly, a few fighters seemed confused
with the fight order but after a brief explanation of the bye system they were
satisfied. There were two pull outs on the day in the highest and lowest weight
categories due to injury, but the remaining fighters in both categories elected
to fight in the closest weight classes, They came to fight and they were not
leaving without a scrap!
On the mat
there were some wars but the fighters always showed total respect to each other
and to the officials which is always good to see and I expected nothing less!
I was
approached by one coach who stated that his fighters would not fight each other
after explaining that they had been kept apart in the first round (as had
everyone from the same gyms) I told him it was simply luck of the draw and that
they would have to fight each other at some point. Eventually they fought but
seemed unwilling to fight properly and so were both disqualified for passivity,
a shame as both are good fighters with a lot of heart.
There was
some excellent technical displays with Matt Clempner Jnr executing a perfect
foot sweep on one opponent and a well-timed right hand to the face dropping his
opponent straight down on another showing once again why he was chosen to
attend the worlds!
The fights
drew to an end and though tired and bruised fighters the fighters seemed happy
and began to get ready for the medal ceremony. As the medal winners were called
out one by one I thought about the qualities that make a Sambo fighter and I
must say that the majority of them on that day displayed the humility, respect,
honour and courage that is vital for all combat sports.
As the
fighters and spectators began to depart the long work of clearing away the mats
and the rest of the equipment began and most of the officials elected to stay
and help with only a couple needing to shoot off straight away. The work done
we retired to the local drinking hole (The Vikings Landing) to relax for a
short while before the remaining officials and helpers had to depart.
A special
shout out goes to all the students and parents at Team Mushin that helped in so
many ways, Ian from MJ's travel who helped transport the mats we borrowed in
one of his vehicles, Alan who helped with constructing the crowd barriers and
also helped with the mats, To Shinsei Martials Arts who lent us some of their
mats and also to the local TA unit 4Lancs who also lend us mats, there really
was too many people to mention.
The biggest
thank you goes to Susan King who dealt with the entries and insurance etc for
the event and without her assistance it would not have been such a great
success.
All in all
the day was a success and many of the spectators were intrigued to learn more
of the Martial Art and Sport that we love so much. A great day for all, most
importantly a great day for Sambo?
"He
who does not fall cannot rise!"
Adam Lindop
President
United Kingdom Sambo Association
Well done UKSA Adam and Sue plus all the officials for hosting the best Combat Sambo event in GB
Final point would like to say well done to Tom Richardson who Medalled in Both the British Combat Sambo and British Sport Sambo Championships
Martin Clarke
FIAS GrandMaster
President British Sombo Federation
Well done UKSA Adam and Sue plus all the officials for hosting the best Combat Sambo event in GB
Final point would like to say well done to Tom Richardson who Medalled in Both the British Combat Sambo and British Sport Sambo Championships
Martin Clarke
FIAS GrandMaster
President British Sombo Federation
# posted by IBFBCSA @ 2:43 AM 
