Lausanne, Switzerland, July 7, 2020: The first-ever Asia Online Sambo Cup was held on July 4-5 with 23 athletes participating.
Kyohei Hagiwara of Japan won the tournament defeating Nepalese Saba Rani Maharjan in the final.
“I really enjoyed the new online Sambo format. It is really fascinating and exciting. Before the tournament began I did not believe I could win. My preparation included watching the fights in Europe and trying to remember the figures and techniques choosing the right strategy. I think this was the most useful thing to do,” said champion Hagiwara.
Maharjan said: “I lost in the final because I decided to skip my move and not take risks, although I was guessing right what particular technique was concealed behind the cards. This was my mistake. Nonetheless reaching the final was a valuable experience, also a success, as it gives me the right to compete in the Super Cup.
“This online format is a good opportunity for participants to keep their physical and mental fitness,” Maharjan added.
The Super Cup – where the finalists of Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia will battle it out online – will take place in a fortnight.
Hagiwara received a purse of US$500 while Maharjan earned US$250. In the Super Cup, the winner will receive US$1,000, the runner-up US$750 and the losing semi-finalists US$300 each.
Sambo was a sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang with two weight divisions in both the men’s and women’s categories. Kazakhstan won two golds with Mongolia and Uzbekistan winning one each.
Source: International Sambo Federation