Victor Tatarkin, born in Siberia, began his lifelong journey in martial arts with SAMBO, later expanding into Judo as the discipline gained popularity in Russia. A USSR Master of Sports in Sambo, Judo, and Self-Defense Without Weapons, he built an accomplished competitive career before transitioning into coaching and leadership roles.

In 1987, Victor graduated from the Pedagogical University, School of Physical Education and Beginning Military Preparation. He moved to the United States in 1992, where he competed for the New York State Sambo and Judo Team, becoming a five-time New York State Games Champion. His international accolades include titles in World Extreme Fighting (1995), the FIAS World Open Sambo Championship (2001), and multiple championships in both Sambo and Judo across the United States.

Since 2003, Victor has served on the Executive Council of the American Amateur Sambo Federation (AASF), where he is also the Head Coach of the USA Sambo Team and a member of its Technical Committee. In 2008, he was awarded a medal by FIAS (Federation International Amateur de Sambo) for his contributions to the global development of Sambo. He is also the President of the New York State Sambo Federation and Head National Coach for U.S. Sambo and Combat Sambo.

Victor’s achievements include being a four-time U.S. Sambo Champion, a World Masters Judo Champion (2001), and a multiple-time Empire State Games Judo Champion. His experience also spans mixed martial arts, where he earned medals at world-level competitions. For his lifelong contributions, the AASF awarded him the title of Honorable Master of the USA in Sambo Wrestling (2003).

In addition to his athletic and coaching career, Victor is an author and educator, having written “Combat Section of Self-Defense Without Weapons”, a manual for instructors in law enforcement, KDG, and special military forces. He also serves as a senior instructor at the Fight Factory, where he continues to train and mentor athletes alongside his wife, Nadezda Emelianova, a former member of Russia’s Olympic Judo Team.

With decades of experience as a competitor, coach, and leader, Victor Tatarkin remains a pivotal figure in the development of Sambo and Judo in the United States and worldwide.