How to qualify in Sambo
How athletes qualify for the World Sambo Championships
Checked 20 October 2026Valid for: the senior World Sambo Championships, from the FIAS Regulations of the FIAS World Ranking List (undated; read 2026-10-20), section III. The FIAS regulations for a named senior World Championships are not saved. Not covered: weight categories for the current season; the masters, youth and beach championships; age rules.
There is no qualifying event. Each national sambo federation that is a FIAS member can enter one athlete per weight category at the World Championships.
| Event | Athletes per country per weight category |
|---|---|
| World Championships | 1 |
| Continental Championships | 1 |
| World Cup | 2 |
| Continental Cup | 4 |
The national federation chooses who goes. So for an Indian sambo player, the route to the World Championships is to be picked by the national federation for their weight.
Why the ranking matters even without qualifying
The World Championships are a ranking event, and the FIAS draw for ranking events takes each athlete's ranking into account. Results there earn the most ranking points:
| Event | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 5th | 7th | Each win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 1000 | 800 | 600 | 400 | 200 | 50 |
| World Cup | 800 | 600 | 400 | 200 | 100 | 25 |
| Continental Championships | 600 | 400 | 200 | 100 | 50 | 12 |
| Continental Cup | 400 | 200 | 100 | 50 | 25 | 5 |
Points count over two calendar years (the earlier year at half value), using an athlete's four best results.