Steve Koepfer, American Sambo Association President
By Lance Campbell

This past Labor Day weekend when most folks were out enjoying the sun and a good BBQ, others were gearing up for the very first North American Combat Sambo team competition in Montreal, Canada. Under the direction of Stephen Koepfer, President of the American Sambo Association and head coach of New York Combat Sambo, Team USA traveled up north to take on Team Canada. Eugene Shewchuk, Past Canadian FIAS delegate and current President of the National Association of Canada assembled the team representing the great white north.

Combat Sambo, known around many parts of the world including Russia, Former Soviet Nations, Japan, Eastern and Western Europe, has yet to hit mainstream popularity in North America. Earlier this year, Combat Sambo made it's formal US debut in an exhibition match at the “Rumble in Rahway” Mixed Martial Arts show. This New Jersey State Athletic Board approved event was the first public viewing of Combat Sambo competition in the United States and fans have been asking for more since.

This first international team challenge marks a historic moment for Combat Sambo in North America. There is more to come! Mr Shewchuk and Mr. Koepfer have already begun plans for a 2007 North American Combat Sambo open tournament to take place in conjunction with the first American Sambo Association sponsored Freestyle Sambo™ tournament in Canada.

At this year's team competition there was no shortage of action. Teams Canada and USA fought their hearts out! Every bout was action packed and kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Final results were as follows:

96KG
GOLD - Charles Taylor - USA
SILVER - Jason Dire - Canada
BRONZE - Erin MacDonald - Canada

82KG
GOLD - Eugene Shewchuk - Canada
SILVER - Martin Roy - Canada

74KG
GOLD - Ray Ramos - USA
SILVER - Nikolai Molokanov - Canada
BRONZE - Reilly Bodycomb - USA

68KG
GOLD - Vincent Beurrier - USA
SILVER - Alexander Bezouglov - Canada

Published in www.eastcoastfighter.com

Thanks to Steve Koepfer for taking the time to be interviewed.  We look forward to working with him to promote the sport and the Unity Classic!