International Grappling Camp “Palanga 2026” Held in Palanga, Lithuania

From August 5 to 9, the international grappling camp “Palanga 2026” took place in Palanga, Lithuania, bringing together the grappling community for intensive training sessions, seminars, examinations, and recreational activities. The camp was organized by Kęstutis Smirnovas, President of the Lithuanian Grappling Federation, together with his team.
Over the five days of the camp, a total of eight training sessions and seminars were conducted. Experienced and accomplished athletes, who are now successfully working as coaches, shared their knowledge, expertise, and practical advice with participants. The instructors included Marius Rudnickas, Danielius Girdiušas, Ričardas Piepolis, Albertas Kašėta, and Tomas Smirnovas.
Referee Valerij Popadko provided participants with a detailed introduction to the IGF grappling rules. Considerable attention was also devoted to recreational activities and social interaction. Coach Tautvydas Antanaitis was responsible for organizing activities and leisure programs for children, while Arnoldas Lukošiūnas coordinated recreational activities for adults.
Camp participants stayed at the “Vyturys” guesthouse, where they were provided with three meals a day. Intensive training sessions were combined with relaxation, socializing, and various recreational activities. The camp offered an excellent opportunity not only to improve grappling techniques and gain valuable experience but also to spend time with like-minded people and enjoy the seaside atmosphere of Palanga.
A Special Day – Dan-Kyu Examinations
One of the most significant highlights of the camp was the Dan-Kyu examination day. Arūnas Rimkus and Andrius Malašauskas took the examination for the 1st Dan – IGF Grappling Black Belt.
The examination was a demanding test of both physical endurance and technical ability. The technical demonstration alone lasted an impressive five hours. After completing this stage, the athletes faced another challenging task: 10 consecutive three-minute matches without any rest breaks.
Both athletes performed all the required tasks flawlessly and received excellent evaluations from the examiners. As a result, Arūnas Rimkus and Andrius Malašauskas were awarded the 1st Dan rank and received their IGF Grappling Black Belts.
All camp participants celebrated this important achievement with enthusiastic applause, recognizing the athletes' dedication, perseverance, and outstanding performance.
Kastytis Stankevičius Honored
The very first day of the camp was also filled with memorable moments. During the opening ceremony, Kastytis Stankevičius, a long-time athlete and coach, was honored on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
He received a commemorative gift, and in recognition of his many years of dedication and contribution to the sport, he was awarded the 1st Dan – IGF Grappling Black Belt.
The international grappling camp “Palanga 2026” once again demonstrated that such events are much more than opportunities to improve athletic skills. They unite the grappling community, encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience, support the development of the next generation of athletes, and strengthen friendships and cooperation among participants.
The five-day camp concluded with wonderful memories, valuable new knowledge, positive emotions, and renewed motivation to achieve even greater results in the future.
The Lithuanian grappling community is now preparing for another major event of the year – the 5th Anniversary IGF World Grappling Championship, which will take place on October 17, 2026, in Šiauliai, Lithuania.