Southern Impact hosts Stephen Koepfer Sambo Seminar

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Southern Impact hosted a Sambo seminar with Stephen Koepfer on April 10^th 2016.  Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport made popular by Fedor Emelianenko in the Pride Fighting Championships in the 2000s. The word “SAMBO” is an acronym for SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya, which translates as “self-defense without weapons.” Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand-to-hand combat abilities. It was intended to be a merger of the most effective techniques of other martial arts (Judo, Jujutsu, and other foreign martial arts into native wrestling styles).

Koepfer is one of the few Combat Sambo Master of Sport in the USA. He earned his ranking in Sambo under Alexander Barakov (Sambo Master of Sport, former Soviet Navy Sambo instructor).  Koepfer also holds black belts in Taw Kwon Do and Judo as well as experience in various other combat sports. Koepfer from Astoria, New York, was in the state for the US Combat Wrestling Trials.

The Sport Sambo point system favors big throws and quick finishes. Combat Sambo adds striking to the sport, which makes it very close to MMA. While both Sambo and Combat Sambo incorporate the Kurtka (jacket) the seminar was no-kurtka. The seminar focused on clinch work, throws, and leg locks. The format was something all combat sport competitors could use in their various disciplines.

Southern Impact is located at 1105 11^th St in Mena. They teach MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) on Monday and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 and Submission Grappling (no striking) on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30. All levels are welcome. For more information call (479) 216-0602.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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