Russian sambists, competing as neutrals, won 16 gold and four bronze medals in the senior Championships, held from April 19 to 20, and also shone in the Youth Championships that followed from April 21 to 23 involving cadets, youths and juniors.

"Our athletes performed with dignity, and I would like to separately mention the juniors and girls who took gold in all weight categories," Eliseev told Russia's official state news agency TASS.

"There is competition in Europe, and our strong sambo teams were given a fight.

"Several medals are taken away by representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Moldovan team has a very strong composition, and representatives Armenia and Georgia are not losing ground.

"Romanians, the Netherlands, Croats and Serbs will bring home more than one medal from this Championship, and the representative of Germany managed to win gold.

"It's nice to see how our sport is developing outside the country."

Reflecting upon a Championship that he said would be remembered for "bright and uncompromising fights," the President of the International Sambo Federation Vasily Shestakov, told TASS: "All teams showed their worth, but along with the traditional favourites of the competition I would like to single out the teams of Germany, Romania and Armenia.

"The representative of Germany, Salome Steinebrunner, managed to win gold at the European Youth Championship among cadets in the weight category up to 65 kilograms.

"The performance of the Romanian women's team deserves special attention.

"Their sambo wrestlers climbed the podium in six weight categories out of seven possible, having won four silver and two bronze medals.

"And, of course, I remember the performance of the Armenian athlete Arman Avanesyan in the weight category up to 98kg in combat sambo, who defeated Russia’s two-times world champion Viktor Nemkov on the way to the final.

"The professionalism and technical skills of athletes and coaches are growing every year."