About federation
The International Grappling Federation (IGF) was established on 16 April 2014.
Grappling is mixed wrestling that has emerged from various wrestling sports such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, bushido and others. According to the general philosophy of sport, the athlete must respect the values of sport, be honest and never harm the opponent intentionally in order to win. Athletes fight to submission using all wrestling actions: throws, chokes and joint locks. Only in additional time, after the main bout, are points counted according to the approved international grappling rules. Athletes compete in Gi and NoGi sportswear.
The main goal of the International Grappling Federation is to unite and coordinate the activities of all federations, unions, associations, clubs and other sports organisations belonging to IGF around the world, and to promote and support any activity associated with the aims of the federation: to develop and promote grappling, to organise tournaments, promotions and championships of various scale, and to cooperate with the World and European Grappling Federations (WGF, EGF) and other international organisations.
The International Grappling Federation invites everyone to cooperate and to strive together to make grappling popular around the world.
Leadership
Kęstutis Smirnovas – general secretary and founder of IGF.
Main achievements:
- 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 – winner of the Lithuanian Combat Self-Defence Championships;
- 1998, 1999 – winner of the Lithuanian Jujitsu Championships;
- 2000 – the first absolute champion of the Lithuanian “Bushido Rings”;
- 2004 – winner of the Grand Prix of the “Bushido King” international tournament;
- 2006 – European “MMA Bushido-Shooto” champion;
- 2006 – 3rd place at the “MMA Bushido-Hero's” World Championship;
- 2020, 2021 – Lithuanian grappling champion;
- 2021 – Baltic grappling champion;
- 2021 – World IGF Grappling Championship winner;
- multiple winner of international MMA Bushido tournaments.
Master titles: 5 Dan Grappling, 5 Dan MMA Bushido, 5 Dan Judo, 2 Dan Karate Shindokai, 2 Dan Combat Self-Defence.
He has been engaged in martial arts for more than 30 years and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. In 2016 he was awarded the title of teacher expert (martial arts – grappling, judo, MMA).
Gintarė Bubnytė-Smirnovienė – IGF president.
Adrijus Kupstas – IGF sport director.