Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia named Avtandil Chrikashvii as the best sportsman of the year 2013. Current champion of Europe, world silver medalist and wrestler in 81 kg weight category, as well as European and world champion in the team competition was rewarded today at the awards ceremony, which was held in Tbilisi “Event Hall”.

Naming the best sportsman  of the year was the final part of the ceremony. Before this winners of another 10 nominations were revealed.

The best young athlete became World and Europe champion among the young, World and Europe bronze medalist among elders, 19-year-old freestyle wrestler Geno Petriashvili. Besides him the candidates were judoka Beka Gviniashvili and fencer Sandro Bazadze. Recall, that Gviniashvili became Europe and World Champion among the young this year and Bazadze won European Championship among U-19.

World silver medalist, arm wrestler Besik Lekiashvili won over swimmer Nikoloz Tvauri and climber Levan Liparteliani in the best Paralympic nomination.

Candidates for the title of best athlete in non-Olympic species were Vakhtang Chidrashvili and Levan Nakhutsrishvili (both sambo) and arm wrestler Aleksandre Abutidze. The ministry chose Chidrashvili.

The best referee of the year became a referee of international category in Judo Vladimer Nutsubidze. Besides him the nominees were Maka Kupatadze (basketball) and Lasha Silagava (football).

Among the sports federations Handball Federation was named as the best. Besides it, Rugby and Georgian wrestling federations were also in the decisive stage of the competition.

The title of the best team of the year has won Georgian judo team. The team, coached by Irakli Uznadze won the European and World Championships this year and gained deserved recognition. Among the judokas, the candidates were also U-19 team of rugby and football.

Uznadze was named as the best among the coaches, who surpassed the coach of Georgian rugby Milton Haig and the former coach of Georgian basketball Igor Kokoshkov.

Judokas won another award too – 17-year-old Mariam Janashvili won the prize for the best sportswoman of the last season. In the same nomination following athletes were represented: European vice champion, chess player Salome Melia and the duet of trampoline gymnasts – Ana Odishvili and Teona Janjgava. Recall that Mariam Janashvili became the Europe Champion among the juniors in 2013 and in the World Championship and Youth Olympic Festival won the silver and bronze medals.

To announce the last nomination – the best athlete of the year, Levan Kipiani (minister of Sport and Youth Affairs) raised on the stage. Candidates were three: Avtandil Chrikishvili surpassed European champion in freestyle wrestling Davit Marsagishvili and rugby player Mamuka Gorgodze.

In addition to the main nominations, the Ministry has established special awards too, which were presented to the water polo Federation of Georgia, project – “Entertaining Football in Georgian Schools” and the first channel of the public broadcaster. 

Otar Maglakelidze