The 2025 Great Lakes Sambo Championship was held on August 16th just outside Detroit, Michigan, where 34 athletes representing five countries came together for an unforgettable day of Sambo and Combat Sambo. Across 28 exciting matches, competitors put their skills to the test, delivering non-stop action and showcasing the growth of Sambo in the region.
This year’s largest team turnouts came from Victorious MMA, led by Team Captain Kris Lusch, and EMU Judo, coached by longtime American Sambo supporter Frank Gerlitz. EMU Judo’s appearance was especially noteworthy, marking their first Sambo competition in nearly a decade. Their return brought a team of strong, experienced athletes, and we look forward to seeing them continue to be a force on the mats.
Two athletes who stood out in particular were Francisco Gutierrez of Great Lakes Jiu Jitsu and Tamari Khizanishvili of Victorious MMA. Francisco, only 15 years old, chose to challenge himself by entering the Senior divisions in both Sambo and Combat Sambo. His determination paid off, earning Gold in Combat Sambo and Silver in Sambo against much older, seasoned competitors. Tamari made her Sambo debut in impressive fashion, opting to move up a weight class for more opportunities to compete. After a series of tough matches, she battled her way into the finals and claimed Gold with a hard-fought victory over EMU Judo’s Jylah McKinney.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our officials and volunteers who made this event possible. David Mata of Combat Base Flint once again served as head referee, with David Dempsey of Victorious MMA and the AASF acting as head judge. Running the brackets, scoring, and timekeeping were our dedicated volunteers, Mia and Fionna Dempsey.
The 2025 Great Lakes Sambo Championship was a resounding success—filled with high-level competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. With new teams stepping back into the spotlight and young athletes pushing the sport forward, the future of Sambo in the Great Lakes region has never looked stronger.
Here is the link to the Album for all the media captured from the table: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DFKLmohQNe3dhujJ6
