Georgian judo team will hold several practices till European Championship. Kvareli is hosting the last meeting of the preparation stage. Irakli Uznadze, head coach of the team, settled at Kvareli Lake resort with assistants, judokas and doctors. The team holds practices at the Kvareli gym. Managers of Georgian Judo Federation decided to hold the meeting in the most beautiful district of Kakheti region. The sportsmen seemed excited and perhaps, they will hold meeting in Kvareli in future too.

“We are holding the last meeting at the most beautiful place. Nature is amazing here. Besides that, there is nothing nearby this hotel where sportsman can violate discipline”, - Varlam Liparteliani, current champion of Europe, told “World Sport”.

Yesterday the judokas held an open practicing. Managers of Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs attended it. Minister Levan Kipiani thanked the judokas for their good competition in international tournaments. He wished good luck at European Championship which will take place in Budapest on April 25-28.

“I came here to cheer up the judokas before the most important tournament. Judo is one of the most successful sports in Georgia. I am sure it will be proved at European Championship. I found out your practicing and living terms and I am very satisfied. The Ministry of Sport does not interfere in planning the preparation stage of the team. It is business of the federation and the coaches. Our duty is to support each sport”, - stated the minister of Sport.

Davit Kevkhishvili, president of Judo Federation, is a governor of Kvareli district too. He was an initiator of holding this meeting in this district. He attends all practices. Kevkhishvili hopes for the best at the upcoming tournament. Levan Zhorzholiani, vice-president of the federation, practices with the judokas. He left active sport several months ago but now he changed his mind and is a sparring-opponent of the judokas. Zhorzholiani has not finally decided to end up career.

8 members of one of the French clubs are participating in the Kakheti meeting with 40 Georgian judokas. They collaborate with Georgian club “Shevardeni”. Guram Modebadze, coach of “Shevardeni”, will take his 15 judokas to France in a month and half.

Irakli Uznadze, head coach of the Georgian team, named the staff for European Championship at the beginning of the week. The day before yesterday Shalva Kardava (66kg), Zviad Gogochuri (90kg) and Onise Bugadze (+100kg) were added to this list.

“We have held the preparation period quite well. I am satisfied with the meetings. The team showed good results and I hope, we will not disgrace ourselves at European Championship. Our team does not have serious injuries. Only Avtandil Chrikishvili has a problem which I think, will not effect on the final result”, - Irakli Uznadze told “World Sport”.

We asked Zurab Kakhabrishvili, doctor of the team, for a comment on the injury of Chrikishvili:

“Avto has injured ankle. He needed some injections. Nothing is serious. He is on good form now. He is one of the main favorites with Amiran Papinashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili and Varlam Liparteliani”.

Liparteliani is current champion of Europe and he will try to win the second title.

The Georgian judo team will finish the Kvareli meeting tomorrow. The team will arrive in Budapest next Tuesday, two days before European Championship.

Here is the staff:

The Georgian team

60kg – Amiran Papinashvili

66kg – Lasha Shavdatuashvili

73kg – Zebeda Rekhviashvili and Nugzar Tatalashvili

81kg – Avtandil Chrikishvili and Levan Tsiklauri

90kg – Varlam Liparteliani

100kg – Davit Loriashvili

+100kg – Adam Okruashvili

Team Championship

66kg – Shalva Kardava

90kg – Zviad Gogochuri

+100kg – Onise Bugadze

Otar Maglakelidze