Leri Chelidze, member of Georgian judo youth team, won silver medal at European Championship which has started in the city of Belgium, Lommel today. Member of Gia Gugava’s team defeated Armenian opponents. Leri won over Seriozha Aleksanyan and Garik Arutinyan by waza-ari.

On the way to final, Chelidze beat three opponents besides Aleksanyan: German Manuel Seibel, French Cedric Revol and Belgian Adrien Quertinmon.

Giorgi Mesablishvili (55 kg) wrestled on tatami too. After beating Montenegrin Vuk Nikevic, he lost to Spanish Francesco Garigo.

Georgian judokas of 60 kg wrestled unsuccessfully. Vaja Margvelashvili lost to Armenian Aram Grigoryan who competed in the name of Russia. Giorgi Katsia lost to Italian Fabio Basile.

Today women champions and prize winners were found out in three weight classes: 44, 48 and 52 kg. Nona Merabishvili (52 kg) lost to future champion Ukrainian Oleksandra Starkova.

Tomorrow, men champions and prize winners of 66, 73 and 81 kg and women of 57, 63 and 70 kg will be found out. The following judokas will wrestle in the name of Georgia: Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Otar Archuadze (66 kg), Fridon Gigani, Mikheil Chokheli (73 kg), Shalva Ninidze, Beka Ratiani (81 kg), Sopo Beridze (57 kg) and Tea Sukhitashvili (70 kg).

Otar Maglakelidze