Astakhov Memorial World Cup Stage was held over the weekend near from Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela located in a picturesque valley in the Caribbean Andes.

A. Astakhov Memorial World Cup Stage was held over the weekend near from Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela located in a picturesque valley in the Caribbean Andes.

The Stage was dedicated to the memory of Albert Astakhov, a famous Russian coach and the promoter of SAMBO in South America.

The Venezuela Stage is one of the four held this year under the auspices of FIAS. Prior to the A. Astakhov Memorial World Cup, there were the Stages in Kazakhstan and Russia, and the final Stage of SAMBO World Cup 2012 will hold in October, again in Moscow. After that Stage, FIAS will determine the World Cup winners (in each weight category of men's and women's SAMBO) who will receive money prizes and memorable awards.

A. Astakhov Memorial determined the winners in 27 weight categories of men's and women's sports SAMBO, as well as the combat SAMBO. 250 athletes from 5 countries (Armenia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Russia and the USA) contended the stage in Caracas and continued the struggle for the cherished points of the World Cup 2012.

Vasily Shestakov, the President of FIAS, commented on the Venezuela World Cup Stage: "Albert Astakhov was the founder of SAMBO in South America. He is an example of professional devotion and commitment. I am sure that it is due to such people that SAMBO keeps living and developing successfully. Our task is to remember those people and faithfully serve their noble goal - the development of SAMBO, our favorite sport."