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Two Nigerian athletes are preparing to make history in the sport of SAMBO. Rukayat Taiwo and Elizabeth Aseso will become the first African women to compete at the World SAMBO Cup. The global competition will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, between April 11 and April 12, 2026.
The event will hold at the Gazprom Training and Sports Complex. Taiwo is a state champion from Lagos and she will fight in the 54 kilogram category.
Aseso will represent the country in the 59 kilogram division. The upcoming tournament will feature three different events. These are Sport SAMBO, Combat SAMBO, and Blind SAMBO.
Sherif Hammed is the Vice President of the Nigeria Sambo Association. He praised this major achievement and explained that Nigeria continues to lead the way for the sport on the continent.
“Since our debut in 2024, Nigeria has been at the forefront of blind SAMBO, which is gaining global recognition, particularly within the Olympic community,” Hammed stated.
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“Now, we are set to become the first African nation to feature in female blind SAMBO at the World Cup, and we are hopeful of making history with medals,” he added.
Hammed also shared his passion for helping these athletes. He noted that working with the visually impaired competitors has been very rewarding.
“What drives me is the belief that sport is a powerful tool for empowerment and inclusion. Every athlete, regardless of circumstance, has potential waiting to be unlocked,” Hammed explained. “Working with our blind athletes has been an incredible experience. Their determination, focus and resilience are truly inspiring. They see beyond limitations, and that is what makes them exceptional.”
Taiwo expressed her excitement ahead of the big tournament. She confirmed that she is prepared to compete on the world stage.
“I am fully ready for this challenge, and I am so happy to be part of history in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Taiwo said.
Nigeria has recorded steady progress in this sport over the last few years. In 2024, Samuel Kekere became the first African blind sambist to participate in the World Cup. One year later, Sodiq Ajibade won a bronze medal. That victory secured the first continental medal at the 2025 edition of the tournament.
