People in Huechuraba have been introduced to sambo ©FIAS

The Chilean National Sports Federation of Sambo and Martial Arts has sought to attract new sambo fans through demonstrations and introductory classes.

An on-street workout was among activities held in Huechuraba, a city within the Santiago metropolitan area.

There were also beginners' classes and those who joined them were given t-shirts marking International Sambo Day.

The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) celebrates International Sambo Day annually on November 16.

"Sambo in Chile is still a young sport, so we decided to use International Sambo Day to spread the word about this beautiful and inspiring martial art as widely as possible," Chilean National Sports Federation of Sambo and Martial Arts President Nelson Romero Vargas said.

"Our initiative attracted many spectators, some of whom joined the training and got to know sambo better. 

"And, of course, photos and videos from the scene spread across social networks, providing our sport with additional advertising."

The activities coincided with International Sambo Day ©FIAS
The activities coincided with International Sambo Day ©FIAS

The FIAS received International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition last year.

It boasts 17 full members from the Americas, including the Chilean National Sports Federation of Sambo and Martial Arts.

Sambo has its roots in Russia, the FIAS is led by Russian President Vasily Shestakov and it has not implemented fully an IOC recommendation that athletes Russia and Belarus be banned from international sport, with fighters from the two allowed to compete under the FIAS flag.