The Sambo World Cup in Moscow is due to be held without spectators ©Sambo-70

Next month's Sambo World Cup in Moscow is due to be held without spectators as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competition in the Russian capital was scheduled to take place in March this year but was postponed due to the global health crisis.

The event is now set to take place at an arena in the Luzhniki Stadium complex on December 18 and 19. 

In accordance with the health and safety requirements of Russia's Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, spectators will not be in attendance. 

Around 300 athletes from 15 countries are expected to compete in the World Cup, also referred to as the A Kharlampiev Memorial World Cup in honour of Anatoly A. Kharlampiev, one of sambo's founding fathers.

Next month's Sambo World Cup in Moscow is due to be held at a venue within the Luzhniki Stadium complex ©Getty Images
Next month's Sambo World Cup in Moscow is due to be held at a venue within the Luzhniki Stadium complex ©Getty Images

This is despite a surge of COVID-19 cases in Moscow in recent weeks, with the city now under strict restrictions until January.

In total, Russia has reported more than 2.1 million cases of coronavirus and more than 37,000 deaths. 

Sambo events were disrupted by the pandemic earlier in the year but have now resumed. 

Novi Sad in Serbia was also able to host the World Sambo Championships and the World Youth and Junior Sambo Championships at the start of November, again without spectators.