Dong Nai City finishes third in championship division at 2026 National Sambo Championships

The 2026 National Sambo Championships and Junior Championships concluded on September 16 at the Bac Ninh Provincial Sports Training and Competition Hall.

The Dong Nai City team finishes third overall in the championship division of the 2026 National Sambo Championships and Junior Championships.

Competing with a nine-member delegation comprising one coach and eight fighters, the Dong Nai City team finished the tournament with 10 medals in the championship division, including five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Coaches celebrate with Dong Nai City fighters who won medals at the tournament

Of Dong Nai City’s five gold medals, Hoang Bui Thuy Linh delivered an outstanding performance to claim two gold medals in the women’s +80kg sport sambo and combat sambo events. The remaining three gold medals went to Hoang Thi Diem Quyen in the women’s 50kg combat sambo event, Nguyen Van Duc Nghia in the men’s 71kg combat sambo event, and Le Hoang Nhan in the men’s 79kg sport sambo event.

With this result, Dong Nai City finished third overall in the championship division. Hue City took first place, followed by Hung Yen Province.

In the junior division, Nghe An Province topped the overall standings with three gold, one silver and four bronze medals. Hue City finished second with two gold, two silver and nine bronze medals, while the Army team ranked third with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Organized by the Vietnam Sports Authority in coordination with the Bac Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the 2026 National Sambo Championships and Junior Championships opened on September 13, bringing together 200 fighters from 11 provinces, cities and sectors: Dong Nai, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, the Army team, Nghe An, Can Tho and Thai Nguyen.

Female fighters compete at the 2026 National Sambo Championships and Junior Championships. Source: baobacninhtv.vn

Under the tournament regulations, the event comprises two divisions: the junior division for fighters aged 15–18 and the championship division for fighters aged 18 and above. In the junior division, fighters compete for medals in 16 sport sambo events, comprising eight women’s and eight men’s weight classes. In the championship division, fighters compete in two disciplines, sport sambo and combat sambo, across 14 weight classes, including seven women’s and seven men’s weight classes.

The tournament aims to promote Sambo training nationwide, provide athletes with opportunities to compete and improve their technical proficiency, and assess and select outstanding athletes for Vietnam’s teams in preparation for international Sambo tournaments in 2026.

By Huy Anh, Giang Nam – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho