Balarjashvili is a defending champion whose aim was to double up in Glasgow. Christodoulides placed 5th and Asvesta was 7th four years ago, both searching for a podium finish this time round. Due to their ranking, the two -66 kg judoka were set to meet in the semi-final stage.
It was an outstanding display of both skill and respect. Anyone would have been forgiven for expecting a stalemate but for Petros Christodoulides and Georgios Balarjishvili that would not have been right! Both athletes came up the stairs and on to the tatami platform ready to give their best, to work hard for the win, knowing that their friend, their training partner, would do the same. Both would have the chance to compete in the final block, such is the outcome of any semi-final, the loser dropping into a bronze medal contest. The win went to Balarjishvili.
With one athlete in a final and another flighting for bronze, Asvesta was determined to maintain that momentum. She beat African Championship finalist Marie Celine Baba Matia (CMR) and grand slam medallist Tatum Keen (ENG) on her way to the final; she too fulfilled the brief!
As the first day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games judo event came to a close, Cyprus could be proud of all 3 competitors and their podium finishes. Two silver medals and a bronze made for an exceptional haul for this tiny island nation.
As she was packing her medal away, Sofia Asvesta said, “This is important for Cyprus. Below the Olympic Games, this is next for us. It’s good for a small country like us to be able to show our level.”
Head Coach Christos Christodoulides concluded by saying, “It took a lot of work to get here in this condition and was a major part of our plan for the last 4 years, since Birmingham. The team is very experienced. Four years ago they earned good results, a gold, a 5th and 7th place, so they came here knowing what they had to do. They did it and I am proud of them all.”
The team’s next outing will be at the Mediterranean Games at the end of August, another important milestone for Cyprus. Christodoulides and his team will be ready!