International Sambo Federation sports director Dmitry Maksimov says he sees great potential for the development of sambo in Korea ©FIAS

The International Sambo Federation sports director Dmitry Maksimov says he sees great potential for the development of sambo in South Korea.

Maksimov was speaking after attending a seminar for coaches and referees, as well as holding masterclasses for sambo clubs and special classes for police instructors.

"I see great potential and desire for further development and growth of sambo in Korea," Maksimov said.

"I am glad that I contributed to strengthening the competence of Korean sambo, as well as visiting the homeland of taekwondo and its headquarters Kukkiwon.

"I hope that the acquaintance of the Korean police with effective sambo techniques will serve as the beginning of its introduction into the personnel training programme."

The seminar for coaches was held in Seoul on December 3 and 4, with eight coaches studying the classification of sambo techniques and 12 referees learning the latest version of the international sambo rules.

Masterclasses were held at the Maeul Club in Seoul for teenagers, the Korea Fight Gym club in Chon-an for children and the Chunmukwan Top Team in Cheongju for trainers.

Training sessions demonstrating sambo techniques were led by Maksimov during his visit to Korea ©FIAS
Training sessions demonstrating sambo techniques were led by Maksimov during his visit to Korea ©FIAS

As part of his visit Maksimov also met with the Dean of the Faculty of Martial Arts Kim Yonghak during a visit to Yong-in University, where they discussed the prospects of developing the sport at university level.

He also led three special classes for instructors of the police and special squad where applied sambo techniques were demonstrated.

Maksimov also visited Kukkiwon, the headquarters of taekwondo, Korea’s national sport, where he met the director of the institution Lee Dongsup.

Maksimov also visited the taekwondo demonstration group in training.

Reflecting on the visit of Maksimov President of the Korean Sambo Federation Mun Seongcheon said: "The visit of Maksimov made a valuable contribution to the systematisation of sambo teaching methods in Korea, raising awareness and interest in sambo among members and coaches of sports clubs, police officers, expanding the basis for sambo popularisation, and stimulating further growth.

"I would like to thank Maximov for accepting our invitation and hard work over such a long period of time.

"We will make every effort to further actively develop Korean sambo so that the next year will be marked by new achievements."