The sport originated as a Soviet military combat style in the 1920s...

Nigeria’s visually impaired sambists stepped into uncharted territory as they become the first African women to compete at the World SAMBO Cup in Armenia in April 2026.

This marked a milestone for both the athletes and the growth of sambo in Africa.

Footage captured on Tuesday March 10, 2026, showed the athletes' training session.

The athletes performed push-ups and warmed up before they moved into technical grappling and combat drills.

For competitors like Rukayat Taiwo, the World Cup was about more than just a medal; it was a validation of their place in the sporting world.

"It makes me feel important that I'm not left behind,” said Taiwo Rukayat, one of the leading sambists on the squad.

“Among all the old visually impaired in Nigeria in sports, God counts me among the best of the best to represent Nigeria, and I'm so grateful for that,” Rukayat stated.

Her teammate Elizabeth Aseso, highlighted the transformative impact of the sport on her health and self-perception. “In fact, I don’t see myself as a visually impaired person,” she added.

Despite the historic nature of their qualification, the Nigerian Sambo community faced significant hurdles.

"It's very challenging to get sponsors or to convince them to invest in a sport that is largely unknown,” said Sherif Ahmed, the pioneer and founder of Sambo in Nigeria, calling on global governing bodies to bridge the resource gap.

The sport which originated as a Soviet military combat style in the 1920s, evolved into a global sport. Its 'Blind' discipline maintained the integrity of classic throws and groundwork through modified safety regulations.