Today, Lado Vardzelashvili, minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, met cadet and youth sambo players at Sambo Sports Palace in Vake. They have returned from Bucharest. On April 5-9, Georgian age teams gained 16 medals at European Championship. Cadet team won 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals. The team became champion. Youth team earned 2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze medals and took the second place.

Soso Liparteliani, president of Georgian Sambo Federation, also congratulated sportsmen on success with Vardzelashvili. He added that age and main teams will have new head coaches next week. Emil Rash was head coach of Georgian sambo players at European Championship. Temur Giorgadze, former president of Sambo Federation, coached the main team.

The following sportsmen became champions of Europe from Georgian cadet team: Omar Niazashvili (70kg), Ushangi Margiani (75kg) and Zaur Mamardashvili (87kg). Ioseb Meladze (52kg), Zaza Rostomashvili (60kg), Levan Kirkitashvili (65kg) and Giorgi Lazuashvili (+87kg) returned to Tbilisi with silver medals. Leri Bedianidze (48kg) and Joni Chitanava (81kg) won bronze medals.

Shmagi Lagazauri (62kg) and Amiran Ianvarashvili (82kg) became champions from the youth team. Avtandil Mzareulishvili (48kg), Mikheil Chokheli (74kg) and Ushangi Kokauri (+100kg) won silver medals. Giorgi Mesablishvili (57kg) and Aleksandre Mildiani (90kg) took the third places.

Otar Maglakelidze