Indonesia's 2025 Sambo World Championship Makes Participants Impressed

JAKARTA The readiness to host Indonesia in organizing the 2025 Youth and Junior Sambo World Championships or the 2025 World Youth and Junior Sambo Championship made participants impressed.

The single event will take place on October 3-5, 2025 at the JSI Resort Convention Hall Megamendung, Bogor, West Java. A total of 400 athletes from 34 countries participated.

Chairman of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Sambo Association (PB Persambi), Krisna Bayu, said that all of the participants present gave a positive impression on Indonesia's readiness.

"They initially saw the streets were quiet, but when they got to JSI they were very impressed with the competition venue. They even wanted this event to be held again here in 2027," said Krisna.

Apart from the championship participants, a positive impression was also conveyed by the President of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS), Vasily Shestakov.

Krisna said that Vasily was initially a bit pessimistic because he saw access to the competition location. However, the impression changed as soon as he saw the venue firsthand.

"As soon as he saw the number of billboards, as well as meeting rooms and match venues, he was very excited, very praised, and only said: 'Good job bro, very excellent competition.' That's what he said," he said.

Furthermore, Krisna said that it was Indonesia's first experience holding the 2025 World Youth and Junior Sambo Championship.

He said that Indonesian athletes are undergoing preparations that are not as optimal as other sports because all of them only joined 10 days ago.

"Because we are doing everything independently, they practice decentralization at their respective clubs and only joined 10 days ago. However, today they have got bronze," said Krisna.

Meanwhile, DRX Group's Operation Manager, Dery Yulian Sarean, said that his party was happy to be involved in this championship.

"I believe not only win or lose this match, but the athletes will provide inspiration and positive energy," he said.

Indonesia has deployed a total of 32 athletes in this event. This number consists of 18 junior athletes and the rest are athletes who have dropped to the youth level.