The Serbian city stepped in when Turkmenistan pulled out of hosting the event due to the coronavirus pandemic, and 35 countries were represented at the tournament.

Reflecting on the difficulties faced by the global health crisis in a new year message, Shestakov recognised that sambo was not alone in facing them.

"Quarantine, self-isolation, closed borders - unfortunately, this is our new reality," the FIAS President said.

"But, on the other hand, this year brought a lot of surprises.

"For the first time, a representative of the African continent won gold at the World Championships."

Cameroon's Seidou Nji Moulu was the athlete in question, winning under-100-kilogram combat sambo gold.

Shestakov praised his "bright" and "spectacular" performances in Novi Sad as one of the highlights of the World Championships, along with viewing figures.

"For the first time our view audience was about 30 million people.

"This is, in principle, an unique figure for martial arts, and it made us very happy and even surprised.

"We did not expect so many sambo lover from all over the world."

This year also saw Shestakov's term as FIAS President extended by four years ahead of the tournament in Novi Sad.

The FIAS Legal Commission proposed changing articles 70 and 81 of the FIAS Statutes so that - in exceptional circumstances and when approved by an absolute majority of the Congress a year prior to an Electoral Congress - the term of a President can be extended by four years.

Congress then unanimously approved extending Shestakov's term, with the motion put forward by European Sambo Federation President and FIAS vice-president Sergei Eliseev.

"The outgoing year made us all grow up, become smarter, more flexible and taught us how to adapt to new realities," Shestakov added, pointing to the staging of a World Cup in Moscow as another reason to be thankful.

"Of course, we would not have been able to achieve this if we did not have such a professional team - a team of like-minded people, consisting of coaches, referees, sambo amateurs - those who support us.

"Thanks to this, we were able to show will and determination, ending this year on a high sporting note."

Looking ahead to 2021, Shestakov expressed hope things would run smoother than in 2020, and highlighted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session as a key event.

Sambo's three years of provisional IOC recognition is due to expire in 2021, but it could be granted full recognition by an IOC Session.

The International Sambo Center, being built in Russia's capital, is also due for completion next year.

Shestakov hopes that it will "become a Mecca for sambists around the world."