Male and female competitors up to the age of 10 took part in the bouts, with 78 sambists competing in all.

Five sambo clubs in Croatia were represented, from Belišće, Vukovar, Beli Manastir, Našice and Osijek.

It comes with the Croatian Sambo Federation looking to build its youth programme to increase its prowess in the sport in future years.

"Just a few years later, kids of today will be able to join the national junior team, and then the national team, to take part in international tournaments," a statement said.

"That's why the federation has scheduled a vast number of sambo competitions among children for this year."

Zeljko Banic, the Croatian Sambo Federation President, added: "The tournament has become a real festival for kids and their parents.

"Children not only improved their skills but had lots of fun and made new friends.

"The Federation of ours works actively towards the popularisation of sambo among children, creates a comfy training environment and forms the true spirit of togetherness of the future champions and their coaches."