Nine years later, the state of what is now Russia has begun to rebuild, and the three Russian visitors returned to perform another martial arts clinic with Iowa State martial arts instructor Yong Chin Pak last Wednesday and Thursday at ISU.

      "The students love it," Pak said. "It has been a great experience. They have showed us about their culture and other things more than just martial arts technique."

      Mid-Iowans with martial arts experience ranging from three weeks to more than a quarter century attended the clinic. Everyone involved wore a smile and an air of enthusiasm.

      "We can learn from everything they do, from just an athletic standpoint," said Gary Backous of Colo. "The ability that they have physically to their vast knowledge of the sport. Their respect towards everyone and everything they do. It's amazing."

      Aladyshev and Yakovlel are coaches of the Russian national team and are proficient in both Judo and Sambo, a combination of judo and wrestling. Both also are past Russian national champions and are vastly decorated in various other national and international competitions.

      Moratcheva has been a member of the USSR Sambo Federation for 20 years. She is also an English Professor and travels with the others as an interpreter.

      This time they brought a fourth member of the Russian team. Igor Kurinnoy joined his compatriots abroad a matter of hours after winning a third Sambo World Cup.

      Kurinnoy won his first Sambo world championship in 1991 and then repeated in 1994. He also is a Member of the National Russian Judo team and was the reigning Moscow champion from 1993 to 1997. He is also a two-time Sumo National champ.

      But to look at these three burly men, they seem anything but menacing. The unforgettably stern face of Ivan Drago in Rocky III is an outdated stereotype that is best forgotten along with the Cold War.

      Even in Russian, observing this lineup can tell you a lot. Kurinnoy's calm demeanor, warm smile and big eyes give the impression of a 210-pound teddy bear. Aladyshev stands in the background giving the strong silent feeling, offering a slightest smile when he deems appropriate. And Yakovlev is the consummate ambassador, unhindered by any language barrier, only the top speed of his interpreter.

      The demonstration put on by the visitors centered around Judo and Sambo, a self-defense style developed in the early 1930s that is purely Russian in origin. It is a combination of Judo and wrestling. The traditional Sambo garb is similar to a Judo jacket with a wrestling singlet worn underneath.

      Sambo includes many maneuvers and techniques of folk style wrestling, including more than 5,000 different actions. It is practiced widely in Russia for both leisure and self-defense. Moratcheva was the first to translate the rules of Sambo into English.

      "Maybe Sambo is as popular in Russia as baseball is here," Moratcheva said, putting it into perspective. "We don't know much about baseball and you don't know much about Sambo. But the more we exchange delegations, the more we learn."

      In the clinics, the Russian coaches focused on technique and different approaches to common throws and styles that their American students already may be familiar with.

      "It's pleasant that people here take Judo seriously," Aladyshev said. "Maybe not to the international level or to represent America but to develop and to be active."

      "We really appreciate the hospitality and the warm reception we have received," said Yakovlev. "It means that people are interested, not only in us, but in Russia too. Nine years is too long. Maybe next time we can see a ballgame."