Last day of the Judo Grand Slam in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Georgian team was once again in great form, and fans, young and old, came out in force.
In the under 90kg category, reigning Olympic champion and local star Lasha Bekauri made his way to the final, where he faced Eljan Hajiyej. Ippon for the Georgian, then applause from the ecstatic crowd.
First Deputy Minister of Culture and Sport of Georgia Ioseb Baghaturia presented the medals.
“I’m so happy, there’s such a good atmosphere and I love my people, I love my country. When I fight here I always do my best and here I won a second time here and I am very happy” said Lasha Bekauri after her match.
Nikoloz Sherazadishvili faced Shady Elnahas in the -100 kg category. A superb counter-attack from the Spaniard which earned him the victory!
Leri Khabelov, president of the Georgian National Olympic Committee, presented the medals.
In the under 78 kg category, Yulia Kurchenko faced Guusje Steenhuis. A gake from Ko-soto on the edge of the area and it’s victory for the Ukrainian judoka.
She received her medals from the IFJ Director of Media and Judo for Peace, Nicolas Messner.
In the over 78kg category, Frenchwoman Coralie Hayme and German Renée Lucht qualified for the final. In the final seconds of the match, Renée Lucht delivered the decisive blow, throwing and then holding her opponent for a memorable victory.
The medals were presented by Neil Adams, world champion and double Olympic medalist.
“It’s great, there are so many people and it’s not common. It’s nice, and they applaud every throw, it’s not like that every time” commented Renée Lucht on her welcome in the Georgian capital.
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To close the day, Guram Tushishvili faced Ushangi Kokauri in a repeat of the 2018 World Championship final. Guram Tushishvili once again won, and was warmly applauded by the spectators.
Anzor Chubinidze, head of the Special Protection Service of the State of Georgia, presented him with the gold.
Tbilisi also celebrated a pillar of the Georgian national team. Varlam Liparteliani, the 2016 Olympic and six-time World Championship silver medalist, took the stage at a special ceremony to announce his retirement from the sport.
Giorgi Atabegashvili, President of the Georgian Judo Federation praised his career and thanked the champion for his contribution to Georgian judo.
2024-03-24 21:27:10
#podium #dominated #judo #legends
