An international sambo tournament, held in memory of coach Andrei Doga, is taking place at the State University of Physical Education and Sport in Chisinau, IPN reports.

The event brought together dozens of wrestlers from Moldova and Bulgaria. “Ukraine and Russia refused to take part owing to the developments in Ukraine, while Belarus turned down the invitation because they need to cross Ukraine to come to Moldova,” press officer of the National Olympic Committee Nicolae Bucheatski has told IPN.

Emeritus coach Andrei Doga founded sambo wrestling in Moldova. He trained about 150 masters of sports, who medaled at different international tournaments.