This is already tradition that judokas start preparing for the new season with Georgian Championship. The new leaders of inside competition will be revealed this weekend at sport complex “Arena”. On the first day of the two-day tournament – on November 2, judokas in 60, 66 and 73 weight categories took part.
Amiran Papinashvili, experienced member of the team and current European Champion, was #1 seed in light weight category. After winning 4 meetings clearly he earned the right to wrestle in the final. In the decosive match, he wrestled against Lukhum Chkhvimiani, current Champion of Georgia, and gained silver medal.
Chkhvimiani won over Papinashvili 14 seconds before the final siren by waza-ari. Before the champion’s way he was losing with 2 warnings. He managed to win over Giorgi Brolashvili in the semifinal by waza-ari. Before these two victories Lukhum Chkhvimiani beat Bakar Gulbiani, Anzor Nasaridze and Paata Merebashvili.
Brolashvili and Merebashvili won bronze medals. Brolashvili won over Giorgi Mesablishvili by shido. Merebashvili also by shido defeated Lasha Giunashvili.
Leri Chelidze stayed beyond the trio. In 55 kg weight category he lost to Otar Kaidarashvili in the first round.
Lasha Shavdatuashvili missed the competition in 66 weight category. However, the current champion of Europe, recently decided to lift a weight category up to 73 kg and likely he will wrestle in 73kg weight category in future international tournament. Shalva Kardava, former member of the team, reached the highest step of pedestal in 66 kg weight category. He overcame Zaza Pirveli, Luka Jashi, Vano Totladze and Beka Tugushi in the final and in the decisive meeting he won over Giorgi Kaldani by two waza-ari. The main discover of this weight category was Kaldani, who held 4 brilliant meetings before the final.
Peikrishvili and Gela Kelikhashvili occupied 3rd places. Exactly with these two judokas Gia Gugava held the control meeting before the World Youth Championship. Then Kelikhashvili won and deserved to be in the list of World Championship. Today their ways were crossed in ¼ final and Peikrishvili took a revenge with the only one shido. It should be also said that Tristan Peikrishvili won 4 meetings of 5 and all with shido.
Competition in 73 kg weight category was held without Nugzar Tatalashvili and Zebeda Rekhviashvili. Tatalashvili is injured and Rekhviashvili made an operation of polyps recently and he renewed trainings just now.
Pridon Gigani won the Championship without losing. At first he defeated Zurab Okruashvili, then Anzor Khmiadashvili, Tamaz Kirakozashvili and Levan Nakhutsrishvili. And in the final he won over Zurab Nozadze in 28 seconds.
The bronze medal winners are Giorgi Gasitashvili and Tamaz Kirakozashvili. “Bronze final” of Kirakozashvili was especially impressive. 17-year-old judoka overcame much more experienced Arsena Macharashvili in 1 minute. We should mention also Shalva Murachashvili (73 kg), he stayed beyond the trio but he managed to defeat Giorgi Shoshiashvili and Zviad Bazandarashviil, two strongest athletes.
Tomorrow champions-winners in 4 remained categories will be revealed: 81, 90, 100 and +100. Team leaders also will wrestle. Among them are Avtandil Chrikashvili (81kg) and Varlam Liparteliani (90kg), Also Beka Gviniashvili (90kg), current Europe and World Champion.
Preliminary stage meetings will start from 11:00.
Judo
Georgian Championship
Tbilisi
November 2
60 Kg
1 Lukhum Chkhvimiani (Kvemo Kartli)
2 Amiran Papinashvili (Adjara)
3 Giorgi Brolashvili (Mtskheta-Mtianeti)
3 Paata Merebashvili (Shida Kartli)
66 Kg
1 Shalva Kardava (Racha-Lechkhumi)
2 Giorgi Kaldani (Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti)
3 Tristan Peikrishvili (Adjara)
3 Gela Kelikhashvili (Mtskheta-Mtianeti)
73 Kg
1 Pridon Gigani (Kvemo Kartli)
2 Zurab Nozadze (Shida Kartli)
3 Tamaz Kirakozashvili (Kakheti)
3 Giorgi Gasitashvili (Adjara)
Otar Maglakelidze
