History of Sambo: Russia’s Grappling Art of Survival and Sport: How this Russian discipline emerged from military training to become a global combat sport.

DEPTH TRUST PRESS
Ebook
160
Pages
Tools
Eligible

About this ebook

Right, ever heard of sambo? Probably, but I bet you don't know the full story. This is the tale of how Russia took bits of judo, Japanese jujutsu, and a dozen old folk wrestling styles from all over the Soviet Union – from Central Asia to the Caucasus – and mashed them together into one brutal, clever, and utterly practical fighting system. Sambo started in the 1920s as a way to train Red Army soldiers for close-quarters combat, a proper survival tool when you've lost your weapon and some bloke's trying to kill you. Two absolute legends – Vasili Oshchepkov (a Russian who trained under Judo's founder Jigoro Kano himself in Japan) and Viktor Spiridonov (a military man who'd seen real combat) – came at it from different angles but ended up creating something special. Then came the Stalinist purges, and poor Oshchepkov got executed for being too 'Japanese' – grim stuff. But sambo survived, became a symbol of Soviet strength, spread across the Eastern Bloc, and eventually turned into a global sport. Fast forward to today, and you've got monsters like Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov using sambo to absolutely dominate in MMA – their grappling, those brutal leg locks, the way they chain throws into submissions, it's all pure sambo. This book covers everything – the folk wrestling roots (Kuresh, Koresh, all that), the military connection, the Cold War propaganda, the first World Championships in Tehran in 1973, the difference between Sport Sambo and Combat Sambo (the one with striking), the push to get into the Olympics, and the legends who made it all happen. Whether you're a grappler, an MMA fan, or just someone who loves a good story about survival and guts, you'll get something from this. Sambo isn't just a martial art – it's a chunk of Russian history you can still see in every leg lock and throw today.


Keywords: sambo history, Russian martial arts, combat sambo, sport sambo, Vasili Oshchepkov, Viktor Spiridonov, Fedor Emelianenko, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Soviet martial arts, grappling arts, sambo vs judo, Russian wrestling,

Right, ever heard of sambo? Probably, but I bet you don't know the full story. This is the tale of how Russia took bits of judo, Japanese jujutsu, and a dozen old folk wrestling styles from all over the Soviet Union – from Central Asia to the Caucasus – and mashed them together into one brutal, c...

Discover more

About the author

Donald Guangyao  Baumgartner, a 70-year-old martial artist, has spent a lifetime honing his craft and passing on his knowledge in Beijing, China, where he resides with his family. Known for his calm demeanor and deep wisdom, Anthony is a master of traditional martial arts forms, blending the physical disciplines of kung fu and martial art history with the mental focus of Tai Chi.

Born in a small town, Donald's martial arts journey began in his early teens when he stumbled on an old training manual in a dusty corner of his local library. Fascinated, he devoted himself to learning, starting with basic exercises before seeking out skilled teachers who helped shape his practice. Over decades of dedicated training, Anthony immersed himself in various martial arts styles, becoming especially skilled in movements emphasizing fluidity, balance, and internal energy.

In his thirties, Anthony relocated to Beijing to study with some of the most respected martial arts instructors. There, he refined his understanding of martial arts as a way of life—more than a series of techniques, it became a path of discipline, self-awareness, and harmony.

Now retired from competitive practice, Donald focuses on teaching and mentoring. He runs small, intimate classes in local parks and community centers, where he emphasizes precision and mindfulness over raw strength. His students, ranging from children to older adults, admire his patient guidance and ability to explain even the most complex movements in simple, approachable terms.

When not teaching, Donald enjoys quiet evenings with his family, exploring Beijing’s cultural treasures, and practicing calligraphy—a skill he believes complements his martial arts by cultivating focus and a steady hand.



Donald Guangyao Baumgartner, a 70-year-old martial artist, has spent a lifetime honing his craft and passing on his knowledge in Beijing, China, where he resides with his family. Known for his calm demeanor and deep wisdom, Anthony is a master of traditional martial arts forms, blending the phys...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.