Robert Mshvidobadze marks career highlight with surprising European title

The Russian lightweights are a story apart. This time it was Robert Mshvidobadze who took the European title for men U60kg. Without Olympic champion Beslan Mudranov the Russians still have enough alternatives. Still it was a remarkable performance as Mshvidobadze is not the most successful Russian to say the least, but 20 April became a special day for Mshvidobadze.

In the final Mshvidobadze bested Yanislav Gerchev of Bulgaria in the golden score. Not a great final, but work was done in the previous matches when Mshvidobadze defeated number one seed Orkhan Safarov in the quarter final. Safarov who won bronze after all after a victory against Papinashvili was the expected finalist but Mshvidobadze caught him by wazari. Then Lukhumi Chkhvimiani was the other Georgian fighter who did so well this year, but also he couldn’t resist Mshvidobadze who made it to the final against Bulgarian sensation Gerchev as also his performance is a stunt. Four years ago he was fifth in Budapest but this time at least a medal. Ivelina Ilieva was the last Bulgarian who won a medal, last year in Kazan.

Fran Garrigos won the bronze for Spain, which is a good performance, two years ago he just came short and finished fifth, but now bronze for the Spaniard against Chkhvimiani and left the Georgians empty handed as also Safarov defeated Papinashvili.