Sébastien Libebe (France) participates in the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Participants grapple with each other during the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Rosa Delots (France) grimaces after an injury during the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Natalia Aranovskaya (Russia, in blue) cries after beating Elitsa Razheva (Bulgaria) at the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Blagoy Ivanov (Bulgaria) celebrates after winning a Sambo World Championship final. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Tougol Arapbaj Uulu (Kazakhstan, in blue) grapples with an opponent during the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Viktor Tomasevic (Lithuania) has a bloody nose seen to during a bout at the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Katerina Prokopenko (Belarus) pins down an opponent using a leg submission in a Sambo World Championship fight. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

World mixed martial arts heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Russia), at the Sambo World Championships. Sambo, a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons', is a martial art that combines striking, throws and submissions, with a reputation for its crushing leg-holds. Sambo was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s as a combination of judo and regional wrestling styles, but now has an international following.

Sports Action,2nd prize