This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Sambo at the 2015 European Games. International Federation russian dating vs. american dating Amateur Sambo logo.

Russian martial art and combat sport. The pioneers of sambo were Viktor Spiridonov and Vasili Oshchepkov. Oshchepkov died in prison as a result of the Great Purge after being accused of being a Japanese spy. Spiridonov and Oshchepkov independently developed two different styles, which eventually cross-pollinated and became what is known as sambo. Spiridonov’s style was softer and less brutal. Anatoly Kharlampiev, a student of Vasili Oshchepkov, is also considered a founder of sambo. In 1938, it was recognized as an official sport by the USSR All-Union Sports Committee.