Levan Zhorzholiani (100 kg) member of Georgian national judo team gained silver medal at Grand Prix, which was held in the city of China, Qingdao. As a result he gained 120 points and guaranteed competing at the most prestige tournament – World Master, which is to be held in January. Irakli Tsirekidze (100 kg) also competed at Chinese tournament, he stopped competing in 1/8 final. According to his private ranking, competing at World Master is guaranteed for him too. Tsirekidze held 5 matches, he lost the fifth match against South Korean –Hee-Tae Hwang (No.1 seed). Georgian judoka started competing at the tournament from the second circle and in the first fight beat Japanese Shinato Higash who represented the U.S. in 44 seconds. In the next matches, he won over French Kiryl Maresa, Utkur Kurbanov of Uzbekistan and Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine.
Irakli Tsirekidze’s competition at this tournament was under question mark due to injury. He wrestled but did not manage to show his possibilities.
In heavy weight Belarusian Ihar Makarau became champion. He beat Egyptian Islam El Shehab (No.2 seed) and one of the favorites Brazilian Rafael Silva. In final he won over South Korean Sung Min Kim. On the final day of three-day tournament champions and prize winners were found out in three weight categories among women. Fei Chena and Ven Tong became champions in 70 and 78 kg weight category. In 78 kg weight category American Kaila Harison won gold medal.
Judo
Grand Prix
Qingdao, Chine
December 18
Men
100 kg
1 Hee-Tae Hwang (South Korea)
2 Levan Zhorzholiani (Georgia)
3 Ariel Zeevi (Israel)
3 Artem Bloshenko (Ukraine)
+100 kg
1 Ihar Makaru (Belarus)
2 Sung-Min Kim (South Korea)
3 Rafael Silva (Brazil)
3 Guham Cho (South Korea)
Women
70 kg
1 Fei Chen (China)
2 Siongion Kim (South Korea)
3 Iurin Yao (China)
3 Erika Barbier (Italy)
78 kg
1 Kiala Harison (US)
2 Ksiuly Yan (China)
3 Lucy Lu (France)
3 Jin Jen (China)
+78 kg
1 Ven Tong (China)
2 Qyan Qin (China)
3 Jin Kan (China)
3 Karina Braynt (Grand Britain)
Otar Maglakelidze
