Georgian Olympic Committee named favorite sportsmen and sportswomen of 2011 in several nominations.

Kristine Esebua (archery) became the best sportswoman. Zaza Turmanidze (freestyle wrestling) and An Heyung Seyung (archery) became the best coaches. The best sport journalist – Elene Bilikhodze (Public Radio), the best team – rugby, the best region – Adjara, the best Maecenas – Paata Kurtanidze (“Aversi”), Olympic hope – Beka Gviniashvili (judo).

Here is Top 10:
1. Mamuka Gorgodze (rugby)

2. Kristine Esebua (archery)

3. Revaz Lashkhi (Greco-Roman wrestling)

4. Davit Marsagishvili (freestyle wrestling)

5. Gia Machavariani (weightlifting)

6. Nino Salukvadze (shooting)

7. Viktor Sanikidze (basketball)

8. Amiran Papinashvili (judo)

9. Manuchar Tskhadaia (Greco-Roman wrestling)

10. Davit Khinchigashvili (freestyle wrestling)

Gia Natsvlishvili (president of Georgian National Olympic Committee): “Today, we awarded favorite sportsmen and sportswomen of 2011. It is worth mentioning that everybody has gained Olympic license except Davit Khinchigashvili. I am sure all of them will show good result in London”.

Lado Vardzelashvili (minister of Sports and Youth Affairs): “I want to thank Olympic Committee for appraising the mentioned sportsmen and sportswomen. They really deserve these titles. Also, I want to thank “Aversi” and all Maecans who help our athletes”.

Kristine Esebua (archery): “I did not expect to gain the title of the best sportswoman. I am very happy and I want to thank Olympic Committee for that. As for future plans, I am leaving for America this evening. I will do my best in London”.

Zaza Turmanidze (head coach of Georgian freestyle wrestling team): “It is pleasant when your work is appraised. Now, I will work with more enthusiasm”.
 

Rusudan Chumburidze