Georgian national judo team has finished the first part of foreign meetings of spring tour. Before starting the second part, Georgian sportsmen will spend several days in Georgia and Piter Siesenbacher Austrian head coach of Georgian national team will spend these days in his homeland. As far as you know the main candidates of the team trained for one month in Japan and then in South Korea. Meetings in Germany and Mongolia are ahead (April 1-7, 9-17).

According to the information of Georgian judo federation, 14 sportsmen from 16 judokas who were trained in Asia will take part in this preparation process.  Beka Gviniashvili (81 kg) and Levan Matiashvili (+100 kg) are not considered as the main candidates of the team yet.
At the next meetings Amiran Papinashvili and Beka Shuklvani will prepare in 60 kg weight category, in 66 kg- Lasha Shavdatuashvili and Shalva Kargdava, 73 kg- Nugzar Tatalashvili and Zebeda Rekhviashvili, in 81- Avtandil Chrikishvili and Levan Tsiklauri, 90 kg- Varlam Liparteliani and Zurab Zviadauri, 100 kg- Levan Zhorzholiani and Nodar Metreveli, +100 kg- Adam Okruashvili and Zviad Khanjaliashvili.
Saisenbacher will chose sportsmen from these following judokas for European championship. Only Irakli Tsirekidze (100 kg) is not among these sportsmen. Olympic champion is disqualified by International Judo Federation till April 19 and supposedly returns tatami at European championship. The last tournament where is possible to gain Olympic license will be held in Chelyabinsk on April 26-28 and according to the preliminary information Georgia represents two teams at this competition.
Zurab Kakhabrishvili head doctor of Olympic team is intensively involved in preparation process of European championship. He was next to Georgian judokas at South Korean meeting and made the following comment about health condition of sportsmen with “World Sport”:
“Avtandil Chrikashvili and Levan Tsiklauri joined Japanese meeting later due to injury. Chrikashvili’s physical condition is more difficult, but rehab period finished well and he does not need Austrian analyzing which had been planned.  During training process Nugzar Tatalashvili, Varlam Liparteliani and Zurab Zviadauri also had micro traumas.  But nothing is to worry.  All these mentioned sportsmen are ready to continue intensive training. As for the current condition of the team, guys evidently have progress. They are physically well and are not tired. They gained a big experience with sparring matches against Korean and Japanese sportsmen”- stated Kakhabrishvili.

Otar Maglakelidze