Philippines to host historic 2026 Asia Oceania SAMBO Championships

HISTORY in the making for the Philippines as it hosts the 2026 Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the very first time, from June 23 to 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Anchored by the formal endorsement of Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham ``Bambol’’ Tolentino and the PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, the event positions Manila as a premier destination for international combat sports.

“Sambo is a sport that needs exposure in the Philippines. Although it’s not an Olympic sport, it is included in the World Games and Asian Games, and we hope grassroots development will allow it to flourish,’’ said Gregorio, emphasizing the sport’s growth potential.

Sanctioned by the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) and the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania (SUAO), the championships will gather elite athletes from 29 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, to battle for 72 gold medals across youth, junior, and adult divisions.

``In our 10 years as an association, we have produced a world No. 1 and Asian champion in Sydney Tancontian, and we hope she inspires young athletes as we host this championship,” said Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. (PSFI) President Paolo Tancontian.

The championships will be staged under the auspices of the National Sport Tourism–Inter Agency Committee (NST‑IAC), chaired by PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, whose leadership reinforces the event’s stature in the country’s international sports calendar.

The championships are expected to draw over 500 delegates, boosting Manila’s profile as a sports tourism hub and showcasing the city’s historic landmarks and vibrant culture.

It will showcase the two core disciplines of SAMBO—Sport SAMBO, which emphasizes throws, submissions, and ground control, and Combat SAMBO, a high‑intensity hybrid that integrates strikes, kicks, and grappling techniques.

Athletes from powerhouse nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and South Korea, along with Oceania’s finest competitors, are set to converge in Manila to vie for continental supremacy.

“We are proud to host this tournament. If not for Pilipinas Sambo and the PSC, sambo will not have this big event, so we thank them for being aggressive in organizing and hosting international events like this one,” said Tolentino.

Also present during the launch at the Century Park Hotel in Manila were POC secretary general Atty. Wharton Chan and PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston.

The Philippine delegation, composed of standout performers from the recent National Championships and elite athletes under the National Training Pool, will look to capitalize on home‑court advantage as they aim to elevate the country’s standing in the regional medal tally.

The Manila edition reflects the Philippines’ “warrior culture”, resonating with the nation’s martial arts heritage in Arnis, Kali, and Sikaran, while tapping into its passion for boxing and MMA. As a continental ranking tournament, it serves as a vital gateway to the world stage for aspiring athletes.

With the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as the stage, the 2026 Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships will not only crown champions but also cement the Philippines’ reputation as a rising force in global combat sports.