Above: Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI was Olympic Champion in London 2012 in -66kg and Olympic bronze medallist in Rio 2016 in -73kg
With a population of 3.7 million in an area of about 70,000 square kilometers, Georgia is a medium-sized country, but it is a giant on the world judo circuit. For decades national judoka have been raising high, proudly and respectfully, the white and red colors of their flag. While it is always complex to determine the reasons for such success, it is undeniable that the region's tumultuous past and the incessant battles that were going on for centuries, combined with ancestral culture of combat sports, are factors favoring the development of a true Georgian judo school.
If there is one sign that is evident when it comes to judo school, it is the one of spreading the culture and it must be said that Georgian judo is not confined to the national territory. To take one example, maybe the best known of these Georgians from abroad: a certain Ilias Iliadis, crowned Olympic champion and world champion under the colors of Greece, was he not born in this country of mountains, lakes and raging rivers?
But let's go back to Tbilisi, on the banks of the Koura River, where nearly 200 athletes will meet on Friday to compete for the title of winner of a Grand Prix which, too, has a very long history. Jean-Luc Rougé, General Secretary of the IJF and President of the French Judo Federation, explained to us recently that France had taken the example of the Tbilisi Tournament, which, in the 1970s, already attracted the gratin of judo world. When a few years ago, the event became a Grand Prix of the international circuit, it seemed totally logical and deserved to the international judo family.
Georgia: A country of mountains, lakes and raging rivers will host the Tbilisi Grand Prix over the upcoming weekend
One can imagine that the Georgian anthem might sound several times in the stadium over the weekend when we have a close look at some names of the Georgian delegation: Amiran PAPINASHVILI (WRL 5 -60kg), Vazha MARGVELASHVILI (WRL 3 -66kg), Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI ( WRL 5 -73kg), Beka GVINIASHVILI (WRL 2 -90kg), TUSHISHVILI Guram (WRL 2 +100kg) and many others. They will all be there, tenors, today's legends and future heroes, to win medals in front of an audience of connoisseurs. It should also be noted that if Georgian judo was particularly known for the results of its all-male team a few years ago, no less than 12 young women will be lined up during the weekend. The school is growing.
Among the other delegations that will be closely followed in Tbilisi, there will be Azerbaijan, which is already preparing for its Baku World Championship in September, Brazil which will once again be in force on the occasion of an event of the international circuit, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia or Kazakhstan who engaged at least more than 15 athletes each. But in a land of Judo, the surprises can be many, so stay tuned to follow with attention this Tbilisi Grand Prix, 2018 edition.