The XXXI Memorial of European Champion Vladimir Kulikov took place in Dzerzhinsk.

      When hundreds of athletes from 23 regions of the country step onto the wrestling mat, the hall ceases to be just a sports complex – it transforms into a living organism, pulsating in the rhythm of wrestling. This is how the XXXI Memorial of European Champion Vladimir Kulikov in Dzerzhinsk looked: grand, bright, and with incredible intensity of emotions. The traditional tournament has long become more than just a competition: it is a tribute to a wonderful person, a great Master, a true showcase of young talents, where character is forged and future champions are born. In his relatively short life (international class sports master Vladimir Kulikov passed away at the age of 28), the student of the honored coach of Russia Vladimir Zinchak won the European Championship in Sambo, the Russian Cup, and became a prizewinner of the national championship, major international and all-Russian tournaments. The main ideological inspirer and organizer of the competitions – a close friend of Vladimir Kulikov, Andrey Barykin – is the president of the "VLADIMIR" club and the chairman of the Sambo Federation of the Nizhny Novgorod region. – The main task is to popularize sambo among the younger generation and attract new participants, – he emphasized. – For the past four years, our tournament has been held in December, although it used to always take place in April. This time there was no "Battle of the Firsts," which can essentially become a separate event, not tied to the main tournament. The competitions were included in the unified calendar plan of the All-Russian Sambo Federation, and the competition was worthy. The guys showed a high level of preparation: the winners met the standards for candidates for master of sports. Last year, a documentary film was made for the 30th anniversary of the tournament, which was shown in the cinema hall of the "Oka" sports complex for participants, their parents, and guests of the sports holiday. This became an important addition to the opening and the competitions themselves. This year, the competitions were held in two age groups. On April 25, boys born in 2010-2012 competed. As a result of the competition day, two students of the Dzerzhinsk Sambo school ascended to the podium. – Our guys showed worthy wrestling, – summed up the coach of the "Khimik" sports school, Vladimir Zinchak. – It is especially pleasing to see the growth of our athletes and their victories over strong opponents. My student Arseniy Semensky, having slightly lost in the final to a wrestler from Kstovo, won silver. I would like to note his character and will to win. The third place was taken by Matvey Ruchkov, a student of the "City of Sports" coach Andrey Morgalev. It is encouraging that our sambists are progressing and are already defeating those they previously lost to. Such tournaments are an important step on the path to the Russian championship. On April 26, regional competitions of the "VLADIMIR" Sambo League among boys and girls born in 2013-2016 were held in the universal hall of the "Oka" sports complex. Here, too, Dzerzhinsk athletes showed a high level of preparation and entered the ranks of prizewinners. Silver medals were awarded to students of the "Vladimir" Sambo school Artem Orlov and Anastasia Tsyganchikova. Bronze awards were won by Alexander Sochnikov, Elisei Mazurenko, Artem Grigoryev, Denis Kiselev, and Mikhail Zapasov.

      More news about the event:

      The XXXI Memorial of European Champion Vladimir Kulikov took place in Dzerzhinsk When hundreds of athletes from 23 regions of the country step onto the wrestling mat, the hall ceases to be just a sports complex – it transforms into a living organism, pulsating in the rhythm of wrestling. 18:46 03.05.2026 Dzerzhinsk Vedomosti - Dzerzhinsk

      The XXXI Memorial of Sambo Wrestler Kulikov took place in Dzerzhinsk: 23 regions on the mat 18:05 3 May Maria Semyonova Photo II prodzer.ru More than a hundred athletes from 23 subjects of Russia arrived in Dzerzhinsk to participate in the XXXI Memorial of European Champion Vladimir Kulikov, organized in memory of the athlete, 18:27 03.05.2026 ProDzer.Ru - Dzerzhinsk

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

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