The authority of Georgian national Olympic committee hosted judo team today. The main reason of the meeting at GNOC office is symbolic signing ceremony by another ten sportsmen, who will compete at London Olympics. As far as you know, license marathon for London Olympics finished last year, at European championship and Georgian national judo team finally guaranteed license in all seven weight categories. Two-two sportsmen managed to gain license in three weight categories.
“I would like to congratulate Georgian national judo team success achieved at European championship several days ago. With whole responsibility I can say that we did not have such balanced team either at Athens or Beijing Olympic Games. Each sportsman can fight for medal in London. Guys gained licenses without any problem, as we have already mentioned that did well at European championship and to my mind they will be determined for Olympic Games too. There is a few time for preparation and I believe that coaching board will do their best for preparing sportsmen as well as it is possible”-stated Gia Natsvlishvili.
Giorgi Aleksidze, president of Judo federation thanked to sport structures for supporting and hopes, that Georgian national judo team trained by Peter Seisenbacher, will succeed in London. According to him, evey detail goes on according to agenda and tonight the team leaves for Aljir.
Georgian national judo team will have preparation process in Aljir as well as in Japan (twice), South Korea, Czech Republic and Spain. Seisenbacher will take only those sportsmen who have licenses. In July the team will have decisive two-week meeting in Dusheti base. Supposedly, Austrian specialist will name who will compete in 60, 100 and +100 weight categories. Amiran Papinashvili and Betkil Shukvani are candidates in 60 kg, Levan Zhorzholiani and Irakli Tsirekidze -100kg, Adam Okruashvili and Zviad Khanjaliashvili- +100kg, Lasha Shavdatuashvili (66kg), Nugzar Tatalashvili (73kg), Avtandil Chrikashvili (81kg) and Varlam Liparteliani (90kg).
Otar Maglakelidze
