Vitaly Zaslavsky

Vitaly Zaslavsky began practicing SAMBO at the age of nine, starting a lifelong journey in martial arts that has taken him from elite competition to coaching and developing the next generation of athletes. He is the Head Instructor of Stiles Street MMA Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and serves as President of the All-American SAMBO Federation (AASF).

A graduate of the legendary SAMBO-70 Academy in Moscow, Russia, Vitaly earned the prestigious title of Master of Sport in Sambo while training under legendary coaches Andrey Saburov and David Rudman. His competitive career includes success at both the national and international levels in SAMBO and Judo. Among his accomplishments are medals at the National SAMBO Championship, the World Masters SAMBO Championship, the IJF World Judo Masters, the Pan American Judo Championship, the Yonezuka Memorial Tournament, and numerous East Coast Judo Championships. Earlier in his career, he captured titles at the Moscow Open Championship and the prestigious Trud and Burevestnik Sports Union Championships.

As a coach and leader, Vitaly has represented the United States on the international stage for decades. He coached Brendan Walsh to a Bronze Medal at the 2026 Junior World SAMBO Championship and served as Head Coach of the U.S. National SAMBO Team at the 2008 World SAMBO Championships in St. Petersburg, 2009 Anatoly Kharlampiev Memorial International SAMBO Tournament in Moscow, and the 2022 UNIFIGHT World Championship in Tashkent.

Beyond competition, Vitaly is a recognized instructor and seminar presenter. He has conducted technical clinics and referee certification seminars throughout the United States, helping develop athletes, coaches, and officials. In 2012, he co-led a special four-hour SAMBO seminar for cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, introducing future Army officers to the principles and techniques of SAMBO in collaboration with the academy’s physical education department.

With more than four decades of experience as an athlete, coach, referee, and administrator, Vitaly is dedicated to preserving the traditions of SAMBO and Judo while making them accessible to modern students. His teaching emphasizes sound fundamentals, technical precision, practical self-defense, discipline, confidence, and continuous personal growth—whether working with beginners, recreational practitioners, or competitive athletes.