The message was signed by IOC sports director Kit McConnell and associate director of winter and recognised sports and International Federation relations, Irina Gladkikh.

It stated that the IOC would look to present a recommendation to give full recognition of the FIAS to the IOC Session at its meeting on July 20 and 21 in Tokyo, prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"We are delighted to inform you that the IOC Executive Board met today (June 10) and it will present a recommendation to grant full recognition of the International Sambo Federation to the IOC Session," it read.

"We would like to warmly congratulate you on this achievement, which acknowledges the work and accomplishments in terms of institutional development and the promotion and progress of your sport and its related aspects.

"Due to current restrictions implemented for Tokyo to ensure the successful hosting of the Olympic Games, we are working to ensure that a live feed connecting you to the IOC Session will be available."

Back in 2018, Shestakov stated that the next stage for sambo was to be a fully-recognised member and then included on the programme for the Olympics.

This was after sambo was granted provisional recognition by the IOC.

FIAS is set to be one of six International Federations to be fully recognised by the IOC with the others being World Lacrosse, World Association of Kickboxing Organisations, International Federation of Muaythai Associations, International Federation Icestocksport and International Cheer Union.

The IOC Session will determine whether they will be granted full recognition.