Konstantine Khabalashvili (65kg) and Davit Kerashvili (97kg), members of Georgian freestyle wrestling team, lost a chance of gold-silver in the initial stage of European Championship, which is held in Vantaa, Finland.
20-20 athletes were redistributed in both weight classes in the tournament draw. 12-12 of them were involved from the second circle (1/8 final). The Georgians had to participate from the firts circle.
Khabalashvili started the European Championship by beating Italian Angelo Costa. In 1/8 final he could not make anything against the Russian Magomed Kurbanaliev – he lost to him 0:10 in a minute and 46 seconds. He has left only to support Kurbanaliev in order to make through to the repechage.
Kerashvili lost to his first opponent – German William Hurt.
Tomorrow the winners will be found out in 57 and 61 kg weight categories. Vladimer Khinchegashvili (57kg) and Beka Lomtadze (61kg) will wrestle under the Georgian flag.
Otar Maglakelidze