Fanatic Georgian fans follow Tbilisi Grand Slam online

The next IJF World Tour event in Tbilisi will have a big interest from the home crowd but no spectators are allowed. The event will be held on March 26-28 2021 and the Georgians warm up with the previews of the men’s competition which is usually the most interesting for the men’s dominated judo in Georgia. The women though are coming but have less national competition among athletes where the men still fight for essential positions in Tokyo.

National Coach Lasha Gujejiani walks through the weight categories from a Georgian angle.

60kg weight

Acting World Champion Lukhumi Chkhvimiani withdrew due to a training injury that unfortunately turned out to be so serious that he is still unable to participate in training and requires temporary rehabilitation. Coaches and especially wish to participate, but currently unable to avoid medical recommendations and future complications.

66kg weight

As you will remember, we join the entire team and see all the leaders on the Tatami of Tbilisi.

73kg weight

With 2012 Olympic champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili in this weight category, the Georgian team will also be represented in full force.

81kg weight

Given the principles of the Olympic Guide competition, it was decided early this year (after the Doha Masters) that the main competitors Luka Maisuradze and Tato Grigalashvili would compete at different times and in different tournaments. Tbilisi Slam was decided for Grigalashvili, which is why Luka Maisuradze is not participating in this tournament for this reason.

90kg weight

This is the most interesting category at this point, given that the internal competition for the Olympic Guide is still ongoing. That's why the coaches made a conscious decision to bring out the best athletes in the Georgia outdoor game - in an all-round neutral environment, without the slightest negative feeling about the competition's objective behavior. One of these arguments is the participation of other Georgian athletes, which in turn could have been the reason for falling out of the pre-planned pit. It will be race between Beka Gviniashvili and Lasha Bekauri who both won a medal in Doha and Tel Aviv.

100kg weight

Varlam Liparteliani - the leader in the world ranking and national team captain. Surprisingly it would have been great to see him perform in front of a Georgian fan, however due to Covid 19 regulations, no spectators are allowed to be present meaning Georgian partipants cannot be directly supported in the hall, we have allowed ourselves to do this a long-term preparation towards the Plan for future major competitions.

+100kg

Four Georgians will miss World Champion Guram Tushishvili as we have deliberately focused on physical and specific training that will allow him to return to his best competitive form in the future.