Bolivia hosted trials for young competitors hoping to compete at the Pan American Championships in Cochamamba this May ©Bolivian Sambo Federation

The Bolivian Sambo Federation has received Government recognition as it prepares for the first Pan American Cadets Youth and Junior Sambo Championships which it is set to host in May.

Bolivian Sambo President Cesar Castro received a certificate of recognition from National Chamber of Deputies Speaker Jerges Mercado Suarez.

"This document has become recognition of the long-term work of the National Federation in the development and popularisation of sambo in the country, as well as in the preparation of athletes for participation in competitions at the national and international levels," Castro said.

100 wrestlers took part in the national championships which served as trials for the Pan American Cadet, Youth and Juniors Championships ©Bolivian Sambo Federation
100 wrestlers took part in the national championships which served as trials for the Pan American Cadet, Youth and Juniors Championships ©Bolivian Sambo Federation

Some 100 wrestlers drawn from Bolivian departments of Sucre, Cochabamba, Tarija, Oruro, Potosí and La Paz. took part in the national competition in El Alto, officially recognised as the highest metropolis in the world, to finalise selection for the Pan American competition.

This is set to be held at La Tamborrada Coliseum arena in Cochabamba and will welcome wrestlers from the under-16 age group for the cadets, under-18 for youth and under-20 for juniors.

It will include competitions in sport sambo, combat sambo and beach sambo.

The event is set to run for three days from May 3.