Beka Gviniashvili successfully continues road to Rio in Buenos Aires

Beka Gviniashvili added another victory in his new weight class U100kg. At the Pan American Open in Buenos Aires he took the gold in the final against Grigori Minaskin of Estonia, who’s in a good shape as well lately, but Beka cannot be stopped in his quest to qualify for the Olympic Games. In three weeks time he jumped from 76, to 55 to 44 this week.

Since the Grand Slam in Tokio the 20-year old Georgia super talent fights U100kg after the Georgian management gave him clarity on the Olympic position of his friend and rival Varlam Liparteliani. Since December Gviniashvili successfully tries to get enough points and he concluded his second Panam Open this season with gold.

Also other judoka with a reputation succeeded to win in Buenos Aires. Brazilian Rafael Silva captured gold like last week in Lima. This week he defeated Estonian Juhan Mettis in the final +100kg and Silva seems to be in a tight fight for an Olympic ticket with David Moura. It will be decided in the next few weeks in the World Tour and Pan Am Championships.

Frenchman Ludovic Gobert gained another 100 points but moreover gold U90kg. Gobert defeated Kirill Denisov (RUS) who won in Lima last week. In the final Gobert overcame Frazer Chamberlain of Great Britain. Nacif Elias of Lebanon also won a second gold medal in his Panam campaign. He won U81kg in the final against Emirhan Yucel, now fighting for Turkey.

In the women’s division Onix Cortes also won her second Panam Open title this season U70kg. The Russians Alena Kachorovskaya and Ksenia Chibisova captured the gold in the two heaviest categories. With these medals, Russia claimed the victory in the medal table.

Seven athletes won their second gold medal in eight days: Natalia Kuziutina, Maricet Espinosa, Vugar Shirinli, Sugoi Uriarte, Nacif Elias, Beka Gviniashvili and Rafael Silva. One more week to go in Pan America where Santiago, Chile is the host next week, and for sure with someone winning a third gold medal.