Wrestling

8:17 | 17.08.2016 | Viewed []

Shmagi Bolkvadze: "I Am Happy that My Hard Work Paid off"

The Georgian Greco-Roman wrestling team finished the Olympic Games with one medal. Yesterday Shmagi Bolkvadze won bronze medal in 66 kg. He beat Tomohiro Inoue of Japan 1:0 in the decisive meeting. The Olympic bronze medalist answered questions of World Sport.

- It was my first Olympics. I worked hard to get here. I did it and I am happy that I won medal.

- However, you could have won gold medal…

- Yes, I could. I did not deserve a caution in semifinal. Overall, I am happy with the result I have achieved.

- Who was your main opponent?

- London Olympic champion Omid Norouzi of Iran who I beat in ¼ final.

- What can you say about the team’s competition?

- We must have achieved better result but unfortunately, it did not happen. The Georgian team can achieve higher results.

- Perhaps, bronze medal is a challenge for you to wrestle for better results…

- Of course. I think it is normal result for the debut. I will do my best to win gold medal at Tokyo Olympics.

P.S. Tariel Khechikashvili, minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, came up to Shmagi Bolkvadze and gave him a mobile phone. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, congratulated the bronze medalist on his success.

Otar Maglakelidze, special correspondent of worldsport.ge in Rio de Janeiro

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