Georgian judo team participated in Moscow Grand Slam so that could gain neither medals nor team point. None from 5 candidates could overcome 1/8 final.

Yesterday, champions and prize winners were found out in 81, 90, 100 and +100 kg. Levan Zhorzholiani, Aleksandre Mskhaladze (both 100 kg) and Zviad Khanjaliashvili +100 kg) wrestled in the name of Georgia. All of them won one match. Khanjaliashvili lost against world’s No.3 seed German Andreas Tolzer. Before that, Zviad beat Kyrgyz Yuri Krakovets by two waza-aris within one minute and half.

Zhorzholiani could not win over Uzbek Ramzidin Saidov. Before 1/8 final, Georgian judoka beat Cameroonian Frank Martal Musima Ivane. Mskhaladze started participation in Grand Slam with beating Uzbek Utkur Kurbanov but he could do nothing against Egyptian Ramadan Darvish.

Georgians who lost 1/8 finals will improve private rating with 36-36 points. Champion gained 300 points, the second placed – 180 points. Semifinalists will gain 120 points and ¼ finalists – 60 points.

German Sven Maresch became champion in 81 kg. He beat Olympic champion Ole Bischof in semifinal and American Travis Stevens in final. Greek Ilias Iliadis became champion in 90 kg, Jewish Ariel Zeevi – in 100 kg and South Korean Soo-Whan Kim – in +100 kg. 27 countries from 58 gained points for team tournament. Georgian team is among those 31 teams which ended up Grand Slam without medals.

Nino Odzelashvili (70 kg), woman member of Georgian team, wrestled yesterday. She lost against Ye-Sul Hwang.

Return of Chinese Wen Tong to sport was the most important event of women’s tournament. Tong competed perfectly and won gold medal. Dutch Edith Bosch became champion in 70 kg and Japanese Akari Ogata – in 78 kg.

Otar Maglakelidze