Georgian national free-style wrestling team needs to gain Olympic license only in one weight category from seven. Malkhaz Zarkua (60kg), Davit Khutsishvili (74kg), Davit Marsagishvili (84kg) and Davit Modzmanashvili (120kg) guaranteed participation at Olympic Games. They achieved their goal at World Championship 2011. Today, Vladimer Khinchegashvili (55kg) and Giorgi Gogshelidze (96kg) gained license in Sofia. After ballot, it was definite that Georgians wrestling in 55 and 96 kg weight categories would not have difficulties in going through the final. Kinchegashvili has the most successful tournament draw – he started competition in the quarter-final and for gaining license he wrestled against none-distinguished wrestlers: Spanish Franchesko Khavier Paras and German Marsel Evald. In final match he defeated Turkish Ahmet Paker. Georgian wrestler did not lose even one set.
As for Gogshelidze, two main opponents: Russian Abdusalam Gadisov and Aslanbek Albarov of Azebaijan were not in his draw till the final. There were weak opponents in his tournament draw and as a result European and World Champion managed to gain world license easily. Before the final match he beat Moldovan Nikolay Cheban, Hungarian Gergel Shandor Kish and German Robin Mikhael Ferdinand. In the final match he lost with Gadisov and won silver medal.
Zurab Iakobashvili represented Georgia in 66kg weight category and stayed beond the tournament in quarter-final, he lost with German Martin Bastian Daum. Before this match he managed to beat two strong rivals. In the first circle he beat finalist of Beijing Olympic Games and European champion (2009), Ukrainian Andrey Stadnik and then Greek Andreas Triantafilidiss. 66 kg weight category is the only category where Zaza Turmanidze’s team has not gained license yet.
Two tournaments are ahead, where is possible to gain license. On April 27-29, three-three best wrestlers will gain license in the city of China, Tayuan and on May 4-6, in the capital of Finland, Helsinki – finalists. Supposedly Otar Tushishvili experienced member of Georgian national team will wrestle in China.
On April 21-22 Bulgarian tatami will be for the only weight category of free-style team and Greco-Roman style wrestlers. Begi Darchia’s team needs to gain license only in one weight category – 66kg (Manuchar Tskhadaia – 66kg). Tomorrow Goderdzi Davitadze (55kg), Phiruz Tsulukidze (60 kg), Zurab Datunashvili (74kg) and Revaz Nadareishvili (84kg) and the day after tomorrow – Sandro Dikhaminjia (96kg) and Sergo Gogisvanidze (120 kg) will fight for license.

Freestyle wrestling

License tournament

Sofia

April 20

55kg
1 Vladimer Khinchegashvili (Georgia)
2 Ahmet Peker (Turkey)
3 Francisco Javier Sanchez Parra (Spain)
3 Andrei Dukov (Romania)

60kg
1 Togrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan)
2 Anatoli Guidea (Bulgaria)
3 Vasil Fedorishin (Ukraine)
3 Selahattin Kilisalahan (Turkey)

66kg
1 Ali Shabanau (Belarus)
2 David Safaryan (Armenia)
3 Ian Ceban (Romania)
3 Dejan Mitrov (Macedonia)

74kg
1 Adam Saitiev (Russia)
2 Kiril Stoychev Terziev (Bulgaria)
3 Gabor Hatos (Hungary)
3 Roman Dermen (Moldova)

84kg
1 Hajimurad Nurmagomedov (Armenia)
2 Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey)
3 Egzon Shala (Albania)
3 Maciej Michal Balawender (Poland)

96kg
1 Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia)
2 Giorgi Gogshelidze (Georgia)
3 Alen Zaseyev (Ukraine)
3 Nicolai Ceban (Moldova)

Otar Maglakelidze