One of the leaders of the world rankings in 90kg weight category Varlam Liparteliani changed the last year’s European Championship silver medal to gold by winning final over Russian Kirill Voprosov in Montpellier.
Liparteliani reached the final of the European Championship for the fifth time during his career and won the gold medal for the second time. In the decisive battle against Voprosov he earned Yuko and wrestled so confidently till the end that he did not give his opponent any chance.
Until final he defeated three opponents. In the first fight he beat Ukrainian Vadim Sianavski, in ¼ final won over Lithuanian Carolis Bauza and in semifinal he overcame Hungarian Christian Thoth.
In the same weight Zviad Gogochuri stayed without medal. In the initial round he won over Ukrainian Qeudau Khabali by wazari, however, then he lost to Russian Kirill Voprosov. In the first round of repechage Gogochuri lost to Azerbaijani Shahin Gahramanov.
Last year’s final repeated in heavyweight, where Adam Okruashvili faced Teddy Riner and lost. As a result Okruashvili won silver medal again.
Before the final, Okruashvili won over Austrian Daniel Alerstorper by ippon and made Dutch Roy Mayers get 4 shido. In semifinal the Georgian judoka overcame German Andre Breitbart by shido, who defeated Levan Matiashvili in ¼ final.
Before ¼ final Levan overcame Estonian Yuhan Metiss. In repechage Matiashvili won over Mayers by Wazari and in the bronze final he lost to Lithuanian Marius Paskeviciu by Yuko.
In 100 kg weight Guram Tushishvili started well. He won over Ukrainian Dmitro Luchin by Yuko and Ippon, however he could not do anything against Azerbaijani Elkhan Mamadli. As this was an early stage, the Georgian lost the opportunity to make through to the repechage.
Overall, the Georgian team gained 2 gold and 2 silver medals in Montpellier and although was unable to improve the last year’s brilliant result (3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), but their participation at the French tournament was successful anyway.
On April 28 will be team tournament and Georgia will fight to retain title. Our wrestlers are No.1 seeded and in the first round they will rest and in ¼ final will face the winner between Czech Republic and United Kingdom. In semifinal Georgia will probably face French team. And in the second half of the grid is Russia.
Otar Maglakelidze
