Don`t Wrestle with the Russian Bear....

Dzhamal Otarsultanov of Russia
GSN`s Combat Sports category incorporates five separate disciplines - Judo, Taekwondo, Boxing (amateur), and Wrestling (Free and Greco-Roman), 
and has been dominated by one country. Although margins of victory have declined somewhat in recent years, Russia have maintained a stranglehold on the title of Combat Sports champions, and after finishing second to China in 2008, have remained unbeaten.
 
            Since that time, other Asian countries have generally been Russia`s closest challengers, with Japan (2nd from 2010-2012, as well as 3rd in 2008) and South Korea (2nd in 2009, 2013, and 3rd in 2011, 2012) the most prominent. Lesser-known sporting nations such as Iran, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan (3rd in 2010) have also been top-ten regulars, while Italy (3rd in 2009) and France (4th in 2010, 2011) have been other European nations to figure consistently in the rankings. Cuba`s impressive 3rd place in 2013 was the first top-three position for a country outside of Asia and Europe.
 
            Russia`s dominance has been secured by a perfect record in Wrestling (Free) and, except for 2009 (won by Turkey), in Wrestling (Greco-Roman). They have also consistently ranked in the top ten in the other disciplines. Japan maintains a perfect record in Judo, and South Korea an almost perfect run in Taekwondo, having been pipped for 1st place by Spain in 2012. Boxing (amateur) has been the most open of the disciplines, with four separate countries (Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, and Kazakhstan) winning once each, in the four times statistics have been recorded.

            Nevertheless, until another nation is able to match the consistency and excellence of Russia across all disciplines, the title is likely to remain with the Eurasian giants for a few years to come.