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
Cadet WC 2025
The Gateway to the Elite Level

22. Aug. 2025 / The OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets 2025 ...

Forever Everest
From the Arabian Sea to the Slopes of K2: A Human and Sporting Adventure

22. Aug. 2025 / Three months in Pakistan; three months of emotions, ...

Judo for Children
Sewing Values-Based Seeds for a Peaceful Future

21. Aug. 2025 / In Colombia, judo is much more than a sport, it is ...

News
The IBSA Grand Prix Concludes in the Spirit of Collaboration

19. Aug. 2025 / The IBSA Grand Prix Giza 2025 has come to a close with ...

Athlete Stories
Evie Gormley: Independence is Key

19. Aug. 2025 / 21 year old Evie Gormley (GBR) has been competing at ...

News
More Than Coaches

19. Aug. 2025 / In general it is accepted that judo coaches do much ...

News
Pakistani Judoka Shine at Amman Asian Open 2025

19. Aug. 2025 / Pakistan’s young judoka delivered inspiring performances ...

News
IBSA Judo: Results From Day 1 in Giza

18. Aug. 2025 / Familiar names made their way into the final block ...

Athlete Stories
Kapil Parmar (IND): From the Fields to the Tatami

18. Aug. 2025 / Kapil Parmar is one of the current stars of IBSA judo. ...

News
IBSA Grand Prix Giza, Ready!

18. Aug. 2025 / Twenty-seven delegations from across the world have ...

Kata
Kata for All Festival Inspires Coaches and Children in Baku

18. Aug. 2025 / The National Judo Team Training Centre in Baku played ...

Referee Stories
Judit Pisarova: Respecting People and Opportunities

18. Aug. 2025 / Judit Pisarova is now a regular on the IJF World Judo ...

News
Record-breaking Haecker Bids Farewell to Competitive Judo

18. Aug. 2025 / Australia’s most successful judoka in decades, 3 ...

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 ...