(ATR) The finals of SportAccord’s World Combat Games are taking place, with sports reporting satisfaction with this year’s edition.
Boxing, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing wrap up their competitions today, Friday, and Saturday when the games end.Muaythai finished Wednesday with federation chiefs hailing the St. Petersburg edition as "a fantastic event."
"These games have been extraordinary and we thank all the officials that ensured fair play, and, also, appreciation must be given to the organisers and the host country for all efforts and hard work that made World Combat Games 2013 such a memorable event," a International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) statement said on the official games website.
IFMA president Sakchye Tapsuwan and head of the Russian Muaythai Federation, Dmitry Putilin, gave their verdict on their sport at a press conference.
Tapsuwan said, "Nearly all medals have gone to different countries. Yubileiny Sports Complex is one of the best arenas."
He also spoke about the sport’s Olympic ambitions.
"I can say that we are working towards recognition by the International Olympic Committee. We are doing our best and we have already done our best."
Nikita Gulin, senior manager at the Media Centre of the Yubileyny Sports Centre, told ATR that the World Combat Games had been staged to a high level.
Among the issues troubleshooted by SportAccord and the local organizing committee were improving access for photographers in competition venues, he said.
Language translation for Asian delegates had been considered a worry, he added, but with every delegation having English-speaking officials communication has been "very good."
The next World Combat Games will take place in two years’ time.
SportAccord president Marius Vizer confirmed that the World Beach Games, another of the organization’s multisports initiatives, is scheduled to be held in 2015. Three countries including Brazil have expressed an interest in holding the games.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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