Russia’s combat sambo reign continues

Russian combat sambo fighters have triumphed in all four weight categories at the Moscow World Cup.

The day kicked off with the middleweight squabbles. Russia’s Rashad Muradov needed just a minute-and-a-half to defend his title against Valery Tigineanu of Romania in the Under-68 kg category. Another champ retained his crown in the Under-74 kg class. Shamil Gasankhanov also enjoyed a swift victory over fellow Russian Aleksandr Panov, who is the current domestic champion.“I’m very satisfied with the victory here. But I have to admit, that the tournament turned out to be not as hard, as it could have been,” Gasankhanov said.“After my first bout, I got straight into the final, because my opponent was disqualified.” As for the bigger boys, Abusupian Alikhanov clinched the title with a narrow win on points in the Under-82 kg class over Magomed Aldiev. And the 2005 World Champion, Dmitry Samoilov outsmarted Vadim Nemkov in the heaviest division of the competition.The sport’s legend Fedor Emelianenko, considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time, held back from the action this time. But the seven-time Russian and four-time world champion is not about to stop at that achievement as he is about to stake a claim to yet another world crown in November.Fedor is now in great condition. Two weeks ago he won the Russian Championship in Moscow. And this year he will represent the country at the World Championships in Minsk.