On June 10-12 Tbilisi Sports Palace will host traditional international tournament named after legendary Georgian wrestlers Givi Kartozia and Vakhtang Balavadze. It is two years international wrestling federation gave “Golden Grand Prix” status to this tournament. Wrestlers will have chance to win right of competing at final stage of Grand Prix, the tournament is to be held in Baku, on July 8-10.
According to the provided information by Georgian Wrestling National Federation there will be the following 14 participants at Balavadze-Kartozia tournament: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Canada, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Uzbekistan, Monaco, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, India and Armenia. As a rule host country has the most representatives, Georgia will represent 50-50 sportmen in Greco-Roman and Free Style wrestling teams. Champions and prize-winners will gain medals as well as prize money. Champion wins 1500 $, the second place winner win 800 $ and the third place winners win 500 $.
Today there was held press-conference dedicated to this tournament at Vake Wrestling Club. Kakha Getsadze president of Georgian Wrestling National Federation and Vevilainen Pert commissar of International Wrestling Federation met journalists.

“FILA gave “Golden Grand Prix” status to our tournament and it grew importance of this tournament. Very interesting days are ahead us. Several wrestling starts will participate at this tournament. Georgian Free Style and Greco-Roman Style wrestling team will be presented by broadened staff. This tournament has another additional meaning. Traditionally, this tournament will show the main staff of Georgian team which will compete at World Championship. Managing board of National Team will observe Georgian sportsmen with big interest”- stated Getsadze.

Getsadze mentioned that besides injured sportsmen most members of Georgian National Team will compete at “Golden Grand Prix”. He did not name the sportsmen but as we found out the following players will not compete at this tournament due to injury: Vladimer Khinchagashvili (55 kg), Otar Tushishvili (66 kg), Davit Marsagishvili (84 kg), Giorgi Gogshelidze (96 kg) and members of Greco-Roman wrestling team: Revaz Lashkhi (60 kg) and Vladimer Gegeshidze (84 kg). Khinchegashvili and Marsagishvili are preparing for European Youth Championship and that’s why they will not take part in this tournament. Supposedly, several sportsmen will add these sportsmen.

 Tomorrow champions and prize winners will be found out in 55, 66 and 96 weight categories among Greco-Roman wrestlers and in 60 and 120 weight categories among Free Style wrestlers at “Golden Grand-Prix”. On June 11 champions and prize winners will be found out in 74 and 120 weight categories among Greco-Roman wrestlers and in 55, 66 and 96 weight categories in Free Style wrestlers. On final day champions will be found out in 60 and 84 weight categories (Greco-Roman Wrestling) and in 74 and 84 weight categories (Free Style wrestling). 

Otar Maglakelidze