Many medals expected for Georgian men

The men’s team is always important to watch in Georgia, but this year there is so much competition and a new young generation is currently shaking up the elite both in Georgia as outside. The Grand Slam in an important meeting for the Georgian fighters that has by far the most athletes: 25 men and 7 women and many medals are expected for the men's team that even left out major title candidates so they don't battle among each-other.

At home the Georgian team will be under scrutiny, with 25 men and 7 women engaged, including incumbent athletes with a strong experience of the international level, such as Vazha Margvelashvili (U66kg), but also many newcomers, who will want to prove that they deserve their spot in the Georgian armada.

At U66kg we'll look at the Georgian of course, but also the stylish Denis Vieru (MDA), the Mongolian Ganbold or the Uzbek Sardor Nurillaev (UZB).

Canada definitely came to Georgia looking for medals and points. At U73kg, Arthur Margelidon is a good chance for a podium finish for the maple leaf flag bearers, as will be the case for the Olympic and world medallist Antoine Valois-Fortier.

Without a doubt Tato Grigalashvili is the big eyecatcher of the event U81kg. He may be the next World Champion and is unbeaten since his first Grand Slam victory in Dusseldorf last year February.

In the U100kg group, world champion Jorge Fonseca (POR) will be the man to beat, which, with his risky but spectacular judo, can always happen. If it's a good day for the Portuguese athlete, it will be difficult to take the gold medal from him, but everything is possible.

There are many issues to touch on, numerous direct and indirect battles, so many interests at stake, with an eye always on the horizon. It is what it has to be in the middle of an Olympic season, as is the case in Georgia.

465 Athletes from 80 countries will compete in Tbilisi, the previous record of 389 was set in 2016, the previous Olympic year. This edition 253 men and 212 women will fight.