Silver End from Varlam Liparteliani

The last day of European Championships in Tbilisi, April 26, brought one more medal for Georgian National Team. After bronze medals of Nestor Khergiani (-60kg) and Levan Tsiklauri (-81kg),

20 years old Varlam Liparteliani added the silver medal to Georgian collection.

Tbilisi Sports Palace was most full on the last day of competition, because of young Georgian judoka. Everyone were expecting and hoping for gold from Liparteliani and he indeed started great.

First, it was Slovakian Milan Randl, who was locked-on on tatami by Georgian judoka in first round. Then Bogdan Barbulescu from Romania lost his match in 2 minutes to Varlam. Third victim was Ukrainian Vadym Synyavsky who lost by 2 yukos. Semi-final was more dramatic though. European Champion from Spain David Alarza was not easy to beat. Unfinished lock brought waza-ari to Liparteliani and 2 shidos transformed in yuko sent Georgian to the final match.

One more win and Georgian audience would at last be able to listen to Georgian national anthem in Sport Palace, but instead of it, it was Belarusian one that made disappointed spectators to stand up. European and world medalist Andrei Kazusionak provided successful attack 1 minute and 40 seconds away from the end. The waza-ari score was awarded to Kazusionak by main referee, but side referees changed the decision and made it into ippon.

Georgian athlete, with tears in his eyes, left the palace immediately after the award ceremony, without commenting to press.

100 and +100 kg weight categories also brought the disappointment to Georgian public. Lomer Zhorzholiani (100 kg) was beaten by Artem Bloshenko from Ukraine in the first round and Adam Okruashvili (+100 kg), was able to win just seventh place in the competition.

Among women, in -78 kg weight category, Esther San Miguel was best and in +78 kg golden medal went to Russian Elena Ivashchenko. Georgian judokas Nino Odzelashvili and Elene Leonidze weren’t able to win any medals.

Georgian Judo Federation Press Center