The day before the start of Tbilisi Grand Prix, another unforeseen change took place in the composition of the Georgian judo team. After Aleksandre Mskhaladze (100 kg), Guram Tushishvili (100 kg) and Levan Matiashvili (+100 kg) withdrew from the tournament list. In case of Mskhaladze, it was unsportsmanlike conduct at the foreign arena and the International Federation’s sanctions. As for the case of Tushishvili and Matiashvili, team’s coaching staff applied to the Georgian Judo Federation.
“We received information from the coaches that these athletes violated discipline, which is why they were replaced by other judokas for Grand Prix. It is too early to talk about sanctions. The Executive Committee of the Federation will take a final decision” – said Kevkhishvili.
Obviously, we asked the coaching staff members for comment, but Irakli Uznadze and Davit Asumbani refrained from talking.
Lasha Guruli and Jaba Mumladze will replace Aleksandre Mskhaladze and Guram Tushishvili in the upcoming tournament and Vakhtang Okruashvili – Levan Matiashvili.
Georgian Grand Prix will start tomorrow and will take place in new sports palace of Tbilisi. During three days, champions and prizewinners will be found out in men’s and women’s 7-7 categories.
Tomorrow five sets of medals will be played. In men 60 and 66 kg, in women – 48, 52 and 57 kg.
Preliminary stage meeting will start at 10:00 am. The official opening ceremony of the tournament is planned for 16:30. From 17:00, final block meeting will start.
The composition of the Georgian Men’s and Women’s team:
Men
60kg – Amiran Papinashvili, Lukhum Chkhvimiani, Ivane Javakhishvili, Irakli Kupatadze
66kg – Vazha Margvelashvili, Beka Shavdatuashvili, Giorgi Gugulashvili, Gela Kelikhashvili
73kg – Nugzar Tatalashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Pridon Gigani, Giorgi Katsiashvili
81kg – Ushangi Margiani, Giorgi Papunashvili, Zebeda Rekhviashvili, Levan Gugava
90kg – Zviad Gogochuri, Paata Gviniashvili, Tornike Jugeli, Archil Gogolashvili
100kg – Lasha Guruli, Jaba Mumladze, Beka Gviniashvili, Lasha Taveluri
+100kg – Adam Okruashvili, Onise Bugadze, Giorgi Lazuashvili, Vakhtang Okruashvili
Women
52kg – Mariam Janashvili
57kg – Salome Abashidze
70kg – Ester Stamm
+78kg – Elene Kebadze
