Luka Mkheidze has added another golden chapter to his rising judo legacy, capturing the men’s 60kg European Championship title in his birthplace of Tbilisi, Georgia, on April 16, 2026. The French judoka of Georgian descent defeated fellow Georgian Giorgi Sardalashvili, the reigning world champion and defending European titleholder, by ippon in the final to claim his second continental crown.
The victory marks a poignant homecoming for Mkheidze, who was born in Tbilisi before moving to France with refugee status in 2010. Speaking after the match, he described the emotion of winning on familiar soil: “It was incredible to hear my name called by the crowd in the city where I took my first steps. This medal carries a special weight as it represents not just my athletic journey, but the path my family took to find safety and opportunity.”
Mkheidze’s path to the final showcased his resilience and tactical acumen. Earlier in the day, he secured his place in the title bout by defeating Israeli competitor Izhak Ashpiz via ippon with just 50 seconds remaining in regulation time, following two previous matches that went into overtime. His semifinal victory came after surviving multiple extensions against Ashpiz, demonstrating the mental fortitude that has become a hallmark of his international performances.
The final against Sardalashvili presented a formidable challenge. The Georgian entered the match as both the 2024 world champion in the -60kg division and the defending European champion, having won the title in 2025. Despite Sardalashvili’s formidable credentials and home-court advantage, Mkheidze executed a decisive ippon technique that ended the contest definitively.
This victory makes Mkheidze a two-time European champion, having previously won gold at the 2023 European Judo Championships in Montpellier, France. His continental medal collection now includes gold medals from 2023 and 2026, silver from 2021 in Lisbon, and bronze from 2022 in Podgorica, establishing him as one of Europe’s most consistent performers in the men’s 60kg division over the past half-decade.
The Tbilisi triumph arrives shortly after Mkheidze’s Olympic success in Paris 2024, where he secured silver in the individual men’s 60kg event and contributed to France’s historic mixed-team gold medal victory. Combined with his bronze medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Mkheidze now stands as a three-time Olympic medalist, further cementing his status among France’s elite judoka.
His achievement likewise contributed to a strong opening day for the French judo team at the 2026 European Championships, as teammate Shirine Boukli captured gold in the women’s -48kg category earlier in the competition. The dual victories marked France’s first two gold medals of the tournament, setting an optimistic tone for the remainder of the championships.
Mkheidze’s journey reflects both personal perseverance and the inclusive values of modern sport. Having arrived in France as a child refugee from Georgia, he has risen through the ranks of French judo to become one of the nation’s most decorated athletes in the sport. His success story resonates beyond the tatami, representing the potential for sport to provide pathways of integration and excellence for displaced individuals worldwide.
Looking ahead, Mkheidze will likely turn his focus toward preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he will aim to add to his Olympic medal collection. His recent European championship victory serves as both a confidence builder and a statement of intent as he approaches the next Olympic cycle in what is traditionally considered the prime age for elite judoka competitors.
For now, Mkheidze can savor a victory that transcends athletic achievement—a gold medal won not just for France, but in the city of his birth, before family and friends who witnessed his journey from Tbilisi refugee to European champion.
What does this victory indicate for Mkheidze’s standing in the world rankings? With this European title, he strengthens his position as one of the top contenders in the men’s 60kg division, building on his career-high world ranking of No. 1 achieved previously. The win adds valuable ranking points ahead of the Olympic qualification period for Los Angeles 2028.
How does this win compare to his previous European championship in 2023? While both victories represent gold-medal performances, the 2026 triumph carries additional emotional significance due to its location in his birthplace and comes after overcoming the defending champion and current world titleholder in Sardalashvili, whereas his 2023 victory in Montpellier came against a different field of competitors.
What’s next for Mkheidze on the international judo circuit? Following the European Championships, he will likely participate in select World Tour events during the summer and fall of 2026 as part of his preparation for the 2027 World Championships and subsequent Olympic qualification tournaments, though his exact competition schedule has not yet been officially announced.
