FIAS President Vasily Shestakov was awarded The Order of Alexander Nevsky at a celebration marking the 80th anniversary of sambo ©FIAS

International Sambo Federation (FIAS) President Vasily Shestakov was awarded The Order of Alexander Nevsky at a celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the sport.

The event was held in Moscow at the Sambo-70 complex and celebrated those who have helped develop and promote sambo. 

Russian Sports Minister and Olympic fencing champion Pavel Kolobkov read out a greeting from President Vladimir Putin and presented the awards. 

Shestakov received The Order alongside Renat Laishev, the director of the Sambo-70 Centre for Sport and Education. 

FIAS President Vasily Shestakov received The Order from Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov ©FIAS
FIAS President Vasily Shestakov received The Order from Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov ©FIAS

"For me, this is a special award, because its presentation takes place on the day of the 80th anniversary of sambo," Shestakov said.

"This is not only a holiday, but also a very important day for sambists from all over the world. 

"We have already managed to do a lot, but more needs to be done.

"Only our joint efforts will bring results, only together we will make sambo Olympic." 

The Order of Alexander Nevsky is a state award of the Russian Federation.