Hamilton Sambo

New Zealand BJJ has several major competition promotions, each with their own rules and scoring systems.
Sambo is a grappling ruleset, and its differences make it interchangeable with other styles.
If you're a BJJ athlete, you don't need to throw away the game you've spent years developing.
The challenge is to take your A-game and impose it under a different set of rules.

Gi on top.
Sambo allows jacket grips that can create very different opportunities for controlling and attacking from the standing position.

No-gi on the bottom.
There are no traditional BJJ-style gi grips once you're fighting on the ground, creating a different feel to positional control, passing and submission exchanges.

A strong standing game matters.
Sambo places significant emphasis on takedowns and throws, meaning your ability to connect your BJJ with wrestling, judo and other standing skills becomes extremely valuable.

And for MMA athletes, there is another obvious benefit.
Sambo encourages a grappling game that starts from a standing exchange entering, controlling, throwing and transitioning rather than assuming the fight begins on the ground.
For anyone interested in MMA, that makes the ruleset an interesting cross-training environment.

This weekend we have athletes with BJJ backgrounds competing in Sambo for the first time.
They've never competed under Sambo rules before.
We're also looking for suitable BJJ athletes who would like to try a Sambo match or exhibition.
No need to leave your club.
No need to switch teams.
No need to choose between BJJ and Sambo.
Come along, watch what happens, and if you're curious enough...
Different rules.
Same grappling problem.
Another opportunity to develop.

15th August 2026
Resthills Park. Hamilton.
BJJ athletes interested in competing or arranging a suitable match/exhibition are welcome to get in touch.

A Week of Sambo Development Across Waikato 🇳🇿

This week brings together several parts of the Sambo development pathway — from community training and cross-training through to competition, coaching and referee education.

📍 Legends Gym — Tuesday 11th August - 6.30pm-7.15pm
Public Sambo Session
An open opportunity to learn, train and experience Sambo in a supportive environment.

📍 Hamilton Skating Rink — Wednesday 12th August - 6.00pm-7.00pm
Public Sambo Session
Another opportunity for athletes, coaches and martial artists from different backgrounds to train together and learn from each other.

📍 Resthills Park — 15th August 11am
Waikato Open
A day of competition, learning and practical experience for athletes developing their Sambo skills.

📍 Resthills Park — 15th August 9am
Coach & Referee Seminar
Supporting the people who make the sport possible — developing coaching knowledge, referee education and the wider Sambo community.

The goal isn't simply to run more events.

It's to build pathways.

Athletes can develop through competition and international opportunities. Coaches can continue building their knowledge. Referees can gain experience. Clubs and martial arts communities can connect and share expertise.

Sambo development works best when it complements the strong martial arts communities that already exist across New Zealand.

Collaboration over competition. Development over division.

This week is another step towards creating more opportunities for athletes, coaches, referees and communities across Aotearoa.

Sambo Pathways NZ
Supporting Sambo development through collaboration, education and opportunity.

Hosted by Hamilton Sambo.

Congratulations Tayla!

Hikoi to Whaingaroa BJJ. ❤️

Sambo is Mixed Martial Arts.

Meeting with friends 🇳🇿

Please note venue change.

‼️ Venue change ‼️

Please note updated venue location for the Waikato/BOP Open.

Entries are still open, see you there!

We don't chase perfection.

We chase one small improvement each session.
Better posture.
Better grip.
Better timing.
Better decision making.

Small improvements become confidence.

Confidence becomes skill.

Skill becomes opportunity.

Question:
What's one skill you're currently trying to improve?
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