Thursday, 31 December 2020 International Sambo Federation (FIAS) President Vasily Shestakov has said that 2021, while difficult, "was not in vain for us", pointing to innovations such as the Online Sambo Cup and the staging of the World Championships in Novi Sad. The Serbian city stepped in when Turkmenistan pulled out of hosting the event due to the coronavirus pandemic, and 35 countries were represented at the tournament. Reflecting on the difficulties faced by the global health crisis in a new year message, Shestakov recognised that sambo was not alone in facing them. "Quarantine, self-isolation, closed borders - unfortunately, this is our new reality," the FIAS President said.