He is still busy, he is training at home. But he has time for us, time to make a fast interview. Just a few questions.
Varlam Liparteliani

How are you? How is your family?

We are fine. Everything is ok so far. We are at home, self-isolating of course.

Where are you now?

Tbilisi

What do you do to be in good shape, despite confinement?

I ride the bicycle and also have some equipment at home. The thing is that I had surgery in Germany in February, on my birthday. It came out of nowhere, I had an infection in my arm. So after that for 6 weeks I was on antibiotics and was not allowed to train at all. So basically I am just getting back, step by step.

Which judo values are helping you these days?

Respect is for me very important. With the isolation I think we must respect the recommendations of health organisations, even if it is long and not easy for everyone. Of course love is what makes us stronger.

What do you miss ?

The thing I miss most is the tatami and I think the first thing I will do after this is over will be training on the mat.

What was your first thought when you heard about Tokyo 2020 being postponed?

It was very hard to realise what was happening. I was confused, had different feelings. Also because of my surgery I might not have been in perfect shape but still it was unbelievable. The Olympic Games is something that is not easy to treat like other things.

See also
Abu Dhabi WC 2024
Japan 2.0 En Route to Abu Dhabi

08. May. 2024 / Japan have such depth that only one member of their ...

Athlete Stories
Qi Cai: Through Judo I Find Personal Freedom

08. May. 2024 / Throughout this Olympic qualification period there ...

The Olympic Champion Series
The Olympic Champions (35): Idalys Ortiz (CUB)

07. May. 2024 / Interviewing an Olympic champion is something special ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
Team Tajikistan Gives Home Crowd the Judo They Deserve

05. May. 2024 / Only the second ever IJF World Judo Tour event to be ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
A Sporting and Popular Success on a Global Scale

05. May. 2024 / It is significant enough to underline it, the three ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
Technical Analysis, Day 3: The Ippon Show!

05. May. 2024 / World and Olympic champion, 3-time European champion ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
+100kg: Riner Makes A Statement

05. May. 2024 / The wishes of judo fans across Tajikistan and beyond ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
+78kg: Tavano is Beginning to Carve Out an Amazing Career

05. May. 2024 / There is a quiet one roaming around the category, scoring ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
-100kg: Pirelli Outwits the Competition

05. May. 2024 / In our preview for the -100 kg category at the Dushanbe ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
-78 kg: GER and GBR Doubling Up

05. May. 2024 / The -78 kg category is fascinating at every event.

Dushanbe GS 2024
-90kg: Lorsanov Ends the Suspense

05. May. 2024 / As we said yesterday, the category opened its arms ...

Dushanbe GS 2024
Judo Fever

05. May. 2024 / In scores of countries around the world, football fever ...

Coach Stories
Ebinuma in a New Role

05. May. 2024 / Masashi Ebinuma, one of Japan’s greats, is known ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...