Viktor Spiridonov

Officer / Master

Russian officer, Jujutsu expert, and co-founder of Sambo (originator of the term Samoz).

Quick Facts

Date of Birth12/20/1882

Date of Death9/7/1944

Era20th century

Country of OriginRussia / USSR

Rank / TitleSambo Co-founder (Samoz)

Active Years1918–1944

Biography

Viktor Spiridonov developed Samoz (Self-Defense Without Weapons) for Soviet Dynamo security forces, emphasizing leverage-based Jujutsu locks tailored for wounded veterans and police.

Associated Martial Arts

SamboFounder→

A Soviet system of grappling and joint locks combining judo with the folk wrestling of the USSR; the combat version also allows strikes.

Sambo Samooborona (Self-Defense Sambo)Founder→

Original self-defense branch of Soviet Sambo focused on soft joint locks and protection.