The first day of Tbilisi Grand Prix turned out to be unsuccessful for Georgian judokas. Men champions and prize winners were found out in 60 and 66 kg. 8 judokas wrestled in the name of Georgia and 5 of them lost the first stage.
Lukhum Chkhvimiani (60 kg) failed to Adrien Raymond of France, Giunashvili – to Hovhannes Davtyan of Armenia, Merebashvili – to Walide Khyar of France, Kardava – to Arsen Ghazaryan of Armenia and Tatarashvili – to Sinan Sandal of Turkey.
Mindia Liluashvili and Vazha Margvelashvili (both 66 kg) celebrated only one victory. Liluashvili defeated Lewis Keeble of Great Britain. In 1/16 he lost to Yakub Shamilov of Russia. Margvelashvili won over Elio Verde of Italy but then fell to Georgii Zantaraia of Ukraine. Only Amiran Papinashvili (60 kg) managed to make through to evening program but neither he did well.
Papinashvili started participation from the second round and beat Tsogtbaatar Tsendochir of Mongolia in 2 minutes and 20 seconds. In ¼ final Papinashvili defeated Mehman Sadigov of Azerbaijan by waza-ari-yuko.
One more victory and Papinashvili would have been in final but he fell to Sharafuddin Lutfillaev of Mongolia. Unfortunately, the Georgian judoka unsuccessfully wrestled in repechage final. He failed to Amartuvshin Dashdavaa of Mongolia and finally took the 5th place and earnking 60 ranking points.
Today women champions and prize winners were also found out in 48, 52 and 57 kg.
Tomorrow men judokas will wrestle in 73 and 81 kg and women – in 63 and 70 kg.
Nugzar Tatalashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Pridon Gigani, Zviad Kapanadze (all 73 kg), Avtandil Chrikishvili, Ushangi Margiani, Ambako Avaliani and Giorgi Papunashvili (all 81 kg) will wrestle in the name of Georgia.
Preliminary stage will start at 10:00.
