The competition in Cyprus is the inaugural World Beach Sambo Championships ©FIAS

The Russian Sambo Federation (RSF) dominated the first day of action at the World Beach Sambo Championships, winning six of a possible eight gold medals in Larnaca in Cyprus.

Four men's weight categories were contested - under-58 kilograms, under-71kg, under-88kg and over-88kg.

Vladislav Sergeev began the RSF's medal haul by overcoming Beimbet Kanzhanov of Kazakhstan in the 58kg division as Romania's Gabriel Stefanita Rima and Shin Jae-yong of South Korea were awarded a bronze medal each.

Sergeev's compatriot Ramazan Elaev was triumphant in the 71kg gold-medal match against Israel's Matan Iglitski.

Ukrainian Oleksandr Chmyr and Romania's Laszlo Szoke took bronze.

In the remaining men's bouts Maksim Ivanov and Artur Khaptsev of the RSF were victorious in the 88kg and over-88kg tournaments.

Athletes from the Russian Sambo Federation placed on the podium in every single event at the World Beach Sambo Championships 2021 ©FIAS
Athletes from the Russian Sambo Federation placed on the podium in every single event at the World Beach Sambo Championships 2021 ©FIAS

More success from the "neutral" Russian team followed in the women's events as Polina Krupskaia was crowned the 50kg champion, followed by Ukraine's Anastasiia Bezatosna in second and Romanian Cristina Anamaria Vladu made up the podium.

It was another RSF-Ukraine-Romania top three in the women's 59kg competition.

Aliia Bikkuzhina claimed the glory as Snizhana Plish and Anda Valvoi were awarded silver and bronze respectively.

The RSF dominance came to a halt in the 72kg class when Romania's Volha Maleika was victorious over Ukrainian Veronika Kratiuk in he final.

Tatyana Zenchenko did still ensure that the RSF team remained on the podium as she claimed bronze.

In the final competition of the day, Bulgaria's Mariya Oryashkova won the gold medal over Bianca Elena Prodan of Romania in the women's over-72kg class.

Ukrainian Halyna Kovalska and RSF fighter Mariia Shekerova both secured bronze medals.

Team competition is scheduled tomorrow.