Today, Georgian cadet and youth sambo teams summarized competition at European Championship at Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Georgian delegation won 15 medals at the championship. Youth team gained 9 medals and cadets – 5 medals (1 gold and 4 bronze). Shorena Sharadze won one gold medal. Oleg Iadze, vice-president of Georgian Sambo Federation and head coach of the team, Badri Janiashvili and Emil Rashi, head coaches of the age teams, and Gia Galdava, secretary of minister, held press conference for journalists.
“15 medals are very good result for other sports but it is usual for sambo. We could have competed better, especially in cadets. They have worse results because of financial problem. If nothing changes we will be in a worse situation. Grants of the government are for youth and national teams. I hope cadets will be appreciated in future too. It will be stimulus for them. Cadets took the 4th place and youth team took the 2nd place. Only one sambo player did not win medal from this team.
I want to talk about Shorena Sharadze. It was the first time when we let a girl participate in European Championship. To tell the truth, I did not expect such result. She wrestled against Russian opponent in final. Before wrestling, I was afraid that she could have been injured but she surprised all of them. Perhaps, you remember that last year Nino Odzelashvili won gold medal at Tbilisi World Championship. We will always take 2-3 girls at the tournaments. I want to thank everyone who has a merit in success of Georgian sambo and who supports us” – stated Oleg Iadze.
Gia Galdava congratulated sambo players on winning many medals and thanked them for their successful work.
“I am satisfied with competition of cadet and youth teams at European Championship. We have a good generation. It is pleasant that Sambo Federation demands more success from both teams. Generally, federations pay attention only to positive moments. Grants will be given to youth team by the end of the year. Unfortunately, we cannot do anything for cadets now. Sambo is not respected in Georgia because many people consider it as Russian sport. I want to tell everyone that it is not Russian sport. It is Soviet Union sport. It is not Olympic sport but it is one of the most successful sports in Georgia” – mentioned Galdava and wished sambo players success.
Otar Maglakelidze
