On May 6, 2026, during the period dedicated to Europe Week and in the context of the traditional Gagauz holiday Hederlez — a symbol of spring, peace and solidarity — Comrat State University became the venue for a historic event for university sports and the Republic of Moldova: the organization of the first International University Chanbara Cup.
The competition brought together students, athletes, and official representatives of several universities and international sports organizations, contributing to the promotion of European values of cooperation, mutual respect, inclusion, and fair play through sport.
Representatives of the following institutions participated in the competition arena:
Comrat State University: Faculty of National Culture; Faculty of Law
Institute of Physical Education and Sport of Moldova State University
Ecological University of Bucharest, Romania
Representing the World Chanbara Federation & Associated Disciplines was Mr. Gabi Oancha, Vice-President of the World Federation and President of the Romanian Chanbara Federation.
The delegation of the Ecological University of Bucharest was headed by Professor Dr. Mihai Ionescu Leonard, General Secretary of the Romanian Chanbara Federation, in partnership with the President of the “SOCOL” Sports Club, Professor Tom Socol.
The event was organized by Comrat State University and the “ANGELUS” Wrestling Sports Club in partnership with the Main Department of Youth and Sports of ATU Gagauzia, with the support of the President of the Moldova Chanbara Federation, Associate Professor Dr. Angela Polevaia-Secăreanu.
Coordinators of the Moldova Chanbara Federation:
Angela Polevaia-Secăreanu, Associate Professor, PhD
Vitalie Secăreanu, lecturer
Ecaterina Lungu, General Secretary of the Moldova Chanbara Federation, lecturer
Official partner: Main Department of Youth and Sports of ATU Gagauzia.
Welcome speeches were delivered by Mr. Pavel Tulba, Head of the Main Department of Youth and Sports of Gagauzia, and Oxana Curteva, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of National Culture.
Special gratitude is extended to Mr. Serghei Zaharia, Associate Professor, PhD, Rector of Comrat State University, and Ms. Oxana Curteva, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of National Culture, for supporting the development of university sports and promoting chanbara within the academic environment.
