Nigeria to Make Historic Debut at 2024 World Sambo Championships
Nigeria will be sending representatives to the 2024 World Sambo Championships, taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from November 6 to 10, marking a major milestone in the history of the competition.
This historic achievement follows Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the recent African Beach Sambo Championships in Morocco, where the team showcased their remarkable skills and dedication.
Leading the Nigerian delegation is Samuel Oladele Kekere, a remarkable blind sambist who is an inspiration to many. He will be accompanied by other talented athletes, including the reigning African women’s champion, Charity Jatau, James Chegwam, and Alani Balogun.
These athletes will be representing their country under the guidance of Lagos State coach, Gbenga Montana, who has played a crucial role in their training and preparation for this momentous occasion.
The prestigious Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace will host athletes from 79 countries, making this an event that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Kekere’s participation in the blind sambo category marks a significant milestone for African athletes with disabilities.
The championship will feature various competition formats, including men’s and women’s sport sambo, combat sambo, and men’s SVI-1 blind sambo, which is specifically designed for athletes who are completely blind. A total of 31 medals will be up for grabs.
According to Roman Novikov, Chairman of the FIAS Commission for Athletes with Disabilities, “Kekere meets the international classification rules for blind sambo in class SVI-1.” This confirmation paves the way for his participation in the competition.
This championship serves as the final qualifying event for the prestigious World Games 2025, to be held in Chengdu, China, adding another layer of significance to Nigeria’s participation.
