The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs named archer Khatuna Narimanidze the best female athlete of 2015. Chess player Nino Batsiashvili and rhythmic gymnast Salome Pazhava were nominees too.
Khatuna Narimanidze also heads the federation. After winning the presidential elections of the federation, archers achieved great success. They beat Italy at World Championship in Denmark and our team (Narimanidze, Kristine Esebua, Yulia Lobzhanidze) gained licenses for Summer Olympics which happened for the first time in history of the Georgian archery. Besides this success, the women’s team won European Cup and took the second place at European Indoor Archery Championship. Narimanidze also participated in European Games where she won silver medal with Lasha Pkhakadze.
- Did you expect to win this nomination?
- We had a good season in 2015 and of course, I expected.
- Which nominee was your opponent?
- We all three deserved victory. I was named the best female athlete for the first time. I am very happy and I do not know how to express it. I want to thank everybody for appreciating my and Archery Federation’s work.
- What are your plans at Rio 2016 Olympics?
- Besides team, we have three licences in Rio. Esebua and Lobzhanidze also gained licences. We will try to come back in Georgia with medals.