Master Class of World Sambo Champion in Chennai

On February 24, four-time world sambo champion Uali Kurzhev conducted a master class at the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Chennai organized by the Tamil Nadu Sambo Association along with the Russian Consulate General in Chennai with the support of the All-Russian Sambo Federation and the International Sambo Federation.

The press conference dedicated to the launch of the master class saw the attendance of the Deputy Consul General of Russia in Chennai Sergei Azarov, Director of the Russian House Alexander Dodonov, Director General of the Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania Suresh Gopi and Dewan to the Prince of Arcot Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali.

Sergei Azarov noted the importance of sports diplomacy not only for the professional training of athletes, but also for the development of friendly dialogue between the peoples of the two countries. He also recalled that cooperation between the USSR and India helped to raise a number of champions of the most prestigious international competitions.

The winner of All-Russian Sambo Championship, senior coach of the School of Martial Arts "Elektrostal" Ruslan Varisov, who is carrying out educational seminars together with Uali Kurzhev, presented the diplomats with memorable gifts from the Head of the city of Elektrostal Inna Volkova.

Interesting fact: the Consul the Russian Consulate General in Chennai Ilya Varisov last competed against Uali Kurzhev in 2005. Despite the fact that their subsequent career paths diverged, today the friendship of former rivals makes an important contribution to the Russian sports diplomacy in India.