International judo federation has published new world ranking. As well as in the previous ranking Georgian national team has two representatives in top ten. Amiran Papinashvili (60 kg) keeps is in the 6th place with 806 points, he is 36-point ahead Russian Beslan Mudranov who is in the seventh place. As for the fifth place, Russian Arsen Galtsyan is in the fifth place and 162-point ahead Papinashvili. Betkil Shukvani (55kg) is in the 13rd place with 552 points. As far as you know, neither Papinashvili nor Shuklvani wrestled at Prague World Cup. Peter Seisenbacher head coach of Georgian national team decided Papinashvili and Shukvani to rest.
Another member of Georgian national team Varlam Liparteliani (90kg) participated at Prague World Cup, but unexpectedly he stayed beyond the tournament and as a result he lost chance of advancing in ranking. Now Liparteliani is in the 8th round with 896 points. Brazilian Ugu Pesana (920kg) is in the seventh place and Brazilian Tiagu Camilu (886) is in the 9th place.
World Cup appeared very unsuccessful for Levan Zhorzholiani (100kg) and Avtandil Chrikashvili (81kg) and that’s why they do not have any progress in ranking. Zhorzholiani is in the 13rd place and Chrikashvili is in the23rd.
Adam Okruashvili and Zviad Khanjaliashvili who won bronze medals at Prague World Cup have progress in world ranking. Okruashvili is in the 19th place with472 points and Khanjaliashvili is in the 7th place with 142 points.
Lasha Shavdatuashvili who became champion at Prague World Cup and gained 100 points, as a result he advanced with 40 places and overtook Shalva Kardava who was considered the main candidate of national team. But 66kg weight category is still the weakest point for Georgian national team. Better situation is in 77kg weight category, where Nuzgar Tatalashvili is in the 25th place. As for Olympic licenses, these 9 members of Georgian national team managed to win it: Amiran Papinashvili, Betkil Shukvani (60kg), Nugzar Tatalashvili (73kg), Avtandil Chrikashvili (81 kg), Varlam Liparteliani (90kg), Levan Zhorzholiani, Irakli Tsirekidze (100kg), Adam Okruashvili and Zviad Khanjaleishvili (+100kg). There is only one tournament ahead –European championship, where is possible to win Olympic license. This following tournament is held in the city of Russia, Chelyabinsk on April 26-28. European championship is the last chance to win Olympic license for Lasha Shavdatuashvili and Shalva Kardava, who wrestle in 66kg weight category. Supposedly Shavdatuashvili needs to overcome only the first round at this tournament. Tatalashvili, Chrikashvili and Khanjaliashvili also will wrestle at Chelyabinsk and guarantee their Olympic license.
As far as you know 22 top ranking judoka receive Olympic license in each weight category. If two or more members of the same weight category will manage to win license head coach will decide who will wrestle at London Olympics.
Otar Maglakelidze
