On Tuesday morning, Georgian national free-style wrestling team leaves for Kiev. On February 15-16 the capital of Ukraine hosts international tournament, where Zaza Turmanidze represents the strongest staff. Only Giorgi Gogshelidze (96 kg) will miss his tournament from Georgian optimal team. Coaches decided to rest one of the leaders of the team now, of course it is joint agreement between coaches and the sportsman.
Before leaving for Kiev, national team had open training. Lado Vadzelashvili Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs also represented this training. He wished all the best to Georgian sportsmen. He told the journalists that free-style wrestlers will compete at upcoming international tournaments too and whole team will leave for London Olymmpic Games.
Belgrade hosts European Free-style and Greco-Roman wrestling championship on March 6-11. Gaining license for London Olympics is possible at these following three tournaments: April 20-22 – Sofia, April 27-29 – Chine and on May 4-6 – Helsink. Two best wrestlers from each weight category can gain license for London Olympics in Sofia and in Helsink. As for China, three best sportsmen from each weight category can get license there. As far as you know Georgian national youth wrestling team needs to gain license in 55, 66 and in 96 weight category.
Ukrainian tournament is the first tournament for No.1 seed sportsmen of national team, but it is the second tournament for Georgian national team. Several days before, Georgian national team wrestled with different staff at Yashir Dogu Memorial in Turkey. Due to changes in the main staff, none of Georgian sportsmen from 11 managed to succeed. Only Genedy Chirgvadze (55 kg) had chace to win bronze medal, but he took the 5th place.
And finally, head coach of Georgian national youth team made the following statement before Ukrainian tournament.
Zaza Turmanidze: “Kiev tournament is the first inertnational tournament for leaders of our team. This time we do not pay big attention to the final result. The main is our wrestlers’ readiness and observing on them. Our main goal is our team to be in the best condition at European and license tournaments”.
Georgian national team
55 kg – Vladimer Khinchegashvili, Besarion Guchashvili
60 kg – Malkhaz Zarkua
66 kg – Otar Tushishvili, Zurab Iakobashvili
74 kg – Davit Khutsishvili
84 kg – Davit Marsagishvili
96 kg – Elizbar Odikadze
120 kg – Davit Mozmanashvili
Otar Maglakelidze
