Ukrainian Sambo Athletes Shine at the 2025 World Games: Three Gold Medals and a Historic Victory in China
In an outstanding display of athletic achievement, the Ukrainian national team specializing in combat sambo secured remarkable results at the global stage during the 2025 World Games in China.
This prestigious event, which annually gathers the best athletes in sports outside the Olympic program, took place a year after the Summer Olympics and aims to promote non-Olympic disciplines worldwide.
The concept of the Games was born in 1981 in Santa Clara, USA, and has been organized under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee since 2001.Ukraine, which has been actively developing martial arts in recent years, made a significant contribution to the country’s overall success by winning three gold medals across three weight categories.
In the first final, Herson native Andriy Kucherenko confidently defeated Russian athlete Rolan Zinnatov in the up to 71 kg category, demonstrating high technical skill and tactical preparation.
Equally exciting was the fight in the up to 79 kg category, where Vladyslav Rudnev secured a decisive victory over opponent Ovanes Abgaryan.
The third gold medal was earned by Petro Davydenko in the up to 88 kg category, who defeated the Russian contender, Abusupyan Alikhanov.With these three high-level medals, Ukraine’s team moved to third place in the overall medal table, surpassing many countries and marking a rare success in combat sports.
The Ukrainian team has now accumulated a total of 26 medals: 11 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze.
The World Games represent one of the largest international events in non-Olympic sports, providing the best athletes around the world an opportunity to showcase their talent and compete for prestigious awards.
They are also a crucial platform for the popularization and development of non-Olympic disciplines globally, encouraging athletes from different nations to elevate their training standards.
Notably, Ukrainian karateka Terliuga already secured her first medals at this prestigious event, and there was also tragic news: a 29-year-old Italian athlete from the national team passed away, underscoring the importance of safety and support during competitions.