The Georgian freestyle wrestling team won two medals on the first day of “Takhti Cup” which is under way in Tehran. Konstantine Khabalashvili won silver medal in 65 kg and Dato Kerashvili won bronze medal in 97 kg.

The main intrigue of yesterday was the return of Luka Kurtanidze, president of the Georgian Wrestling Federation, 5-time European and 2-time world champion. The spectators were impressed by the 41-year-old freestyle wrestler. According to the Iranian agencies, Kurtanidze wrestled beautifully against current European champion Ali Bonceoglu of Turkey. But finally, Kurtanidze lost 10:12. Later, he lost a chance to fight for bronze medal because Bonceoglu could not make through to the final.

Rasoul Khadem, president of the Iranian Wrestling Federation and head coach of the freestyle wrestling team, was the first who congratulated Kurtanidze on his return.

Yesterday champions and prize winners were found out in four weight categories. Beka Bujiashvili, Otar Gogava, Lasha Talakhadze (all 57 kg) and Iakob Makarashvili (74 kg) also wrestled in the name of Georgia but could win nothing.

Today champions and prize winners will be found out in 61, 70, 86 and 125 kg. Vladimer Khinchegashvili (61 kg), Dimitri Basilashvili (70 kg), Sandro Aminashvili (86 kg) and Davit Modzmanashvili (125 kg) will wrestle in the name of Georgia.

Otar Maglakelidze