Georgian Judo Federation President David KEVKHISHVILI is a graduate of the IJF Academy and with his first-hand experience of the value of studying all elements of the sport, has introduced the curriculum on a national basis.
The IJF Academy course, which has attracted two-time world bronze medallist Lasha GUJEJLANI, European silver medallist and World Team Championships gold medallist, Giorgie KHIZILASVILI, European silver medallist and World Team Champion, Giorgi BAINDUROVI, assistant senior national coach and Lomer ZHORZHOLIANI, two times European silver medallist and also World Team Champion.
Florin Daniel LASCAU, IJF Sport Director and IJF Academy tutor, visited the national junior judo school to conduct two training sessions together with three former IJF Academy students.
All the members of the judo school are medallists in either the world or continental junior champions in 2017 including Jaba PAPINASHVILI, 2017, World Junior Champion and Lasha BEKHAURI, World and European Cadet Champion.
LASCAU took the class through competitive techniques in both standing and groundwork.
“On this IJF Academy visit to Georgia I saw dedication and tremendous desire by all students to learn,” said LASCAU.
“Initially the national federation encouraged judoka to take part but now, giving the success of the course here, judoka are discovering by themselves the value of being part of the IJF Academy.
“The students are all focused and the new generation and older generations are all diligent and understand the importance of performing 800 nage-komi and the message we are passing to them.
“I have to commend my IJF colleagues and their level of competence at delivering the IJF Academy and tailoring each course to suit the local students and to achieve the best results.
“I would like to thank the IJF President Marius L. VIZER for trusting to bring his vision to reality. The IJF has education at its heart and Georgia’s participation in the IJF Academy and the wealth of knowledge they have learned is exceptional.”