International Judo Federation will annul rating points of Beijing Olympic Games champion Irakli Tsirekidze which he gained at Tokyo Grand Slam and Qingdao Grand Prix. Georgian judoka competed in these tournaments during those two months when international federation carrying out doping test in the blood of the sportsman. The first test was carried out in December, before Tokyo Grand Slam, the second – in January and when prohibited drug was found in the blood, Georgian Judo Federation received official report from the international federation – Irakli Tsirekidze is punished with 3-month disqualification. Today, management of Georgian judo confirmed the information at the meeting of executive committee.
“The punishment came into force on January 19. So, disqualification ends up on April 19. The international federation carried out research on the basis of World Anti-Doping Agency rules and we received their official letter yesterday”, - stated president of Georgian Judo Federation Giorgi Aleksidze.
Besides members of the executive committee, Paliko Kasradze, president of Georgian Anti-Doping Committee, showed up. According to him, the main reason of less severe sanction is that the prohibited drug belongs to carbox group.
Irakli Tsirekidze won bronze medal at Tokyo Grand Slam and earned 120 rating points. He earned 24 points at Qingdao Grand Prix. After annulling these points, judoka who is in the 16th place will move to Top 30. 72 points of European tournament and 24 points of German tournament will be half diminished. But perhaps, he will still be in Olympic zone. There is minimal risk. Tsirekidze must overcome the first stage of European tournament (in Chelyabinsk) on April 26-28.
Austrian head coach of Georgian team must say the final word. Perhaps, Peter Seisenbacher does not want to take him to European Championship. Besides that, Levan Zhorzholian has already guaranteed wrestling in this weight class.
