Yesterday, in the Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Governor Valentina Matvienko presented an award to a 3-time Combat Sambo World Champion and Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko. Turning to Fedor, she noted that she is most pleased to welcome one of the most outstanding athletes, the strongest fighter on earth: You have become a living legend of modern Combat Sambo. St. Peterburg`s boys idolize you. Thanks to you the whole world learned what is the Russian Sambo, it`s a noble and spectacular Martial Art.Â
In an interview with the athlete Valentina Ivanovna stressed that the city is doing a great deal to support the sport and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. She also emphasized that the name of a renowned sportsman as Emelianenko Fedor and his achievements could play a very important role in introducing the sport to St. Petersburg`s youth.
Also, there were talks on the direct development of martial arts. There already is in St. Petersburg, a special gymnasium, where athletes train from the «Red Devil» club. However, as Fedor mentioned, it would be wonderful if, in the city on the Neva there existed a multifunctional center for martial arts with an arena for competition able
to carry up to five thousand spectators. In turn, Valentina Matvienko supported Fedor Emelianenko and promised to provide every possible assistance to this project.
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