Olympic and world champion Irakli Tsirekidze gained the first medal as a head coach of Georgian judo team. His team took the third place at World Team Championship which was held in the city of Brazil, Salvador de Bahia. Tsirekidze took a renewed staff to South America.

The Georgians were on the top of the pool with Japan and France. Georgian-Japanese way was crossed in ¼ final. Before that, the team of Tsirekidze beat Great Britain 5:0. Shalva Kardava (66kg), Zebeda Rekhviashvili (73kg), Avtandil Chrikishvili (81kg), Varlam Liparteliani (90kg) and Levan Matiashvili (+90kg) won their own fights. Liparteliani found it hard to do – he was losing to Christopher Sherrington by yuko and made waza-ari 10 seconds before the final siren.

Before the fight against Japan, Tsirekidze substituted Rekhviashvili with Nugzar Tatalashvili who defeated Yasuhiro Awano by ippon. Kardava and Chrikishvili lost to Masaaki Fukuoka and Keita Nagashima. Liparteliani equalized the score. He beat Masashi Nishiyama by ippon. Heavyweight class turned out decisive. Georgian risk did not justify – young Levan Matiashvili lost to world champion Daiki Kamikawa and the Georgian team wrestled in repechage.

In repechage semifinal, three weight classes decided fate of Georgia and Cuba. Kardava, Rekhviashvili and Chrikishvili guaranteed “bronze final”. Other two Georgians lost by ippons. Liparteliani lost to Ashley Gonzalez and Matiashvili – to Jose Armenteros.

For the third place, Kardava won over Bo-Bae Hwang of South Korea. Tatalashvili lost to Dongiu Seu by ippon. Chrikishvili gained point. Liparteliani brought decisive victory to the Georgian team. He defeated Dong Han Kwak. Matiashvili beat Guam Cho and the score became 4:1.

Brazilians won second bronze medal. They beat France 3:2. Russia defeated Japan 3:2 for the first place fight.
 

Otar Maglakelidze