The recent progress of Georgian judoka Vazha Margvelashvili (66 kg) continued with triumph at the European Championship, which started today in the Russian city of Kazan.

Margvelashvili wrestled without loss and became the champion of Europe.

22-year-old Georgian judoka beat four opponents on the way to final. He started the competition by beating Andre Soares of Portugal, then defeated Sinan Sandal of Turkey. In quarterfinal, Margvelashvili won over Arsen Galstyan. In semifinal, the Georgian beat Dzmitry Shershan of Belarus.

In the decisive meeting, Margvelashvili overcame Colin Oates of Great Britain and together with champion title earned 400 ranking points.

Today, prize winners were also found out in 60 kg, where Amiran Papinashvili wrestled on behalf of Georgia. The Georgian lacked the only victory to reach the podium. Thus, he took the fifth place.

Along with men, women also wrestled on the Russian tatami, but all of them stayed beyond the tournament. Olga Aladoshvili (48kg) won over Kristina Vrsic of Slovenia, but in the second round lost to Monica Ungureanu of Romania. Mariam Janashvili (52 kg) lost to Katinka Szabo of Hungary and Salome Abashidze (57 kg) could not beat Ivelina Ilieva.

Tomorrow, champions and prize winners will be found out in men’s 73 and 81 kg and in women’s 63 and 70 kg. following judokas will participate on behalf of Georgia: Nugzar Tatalashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili (both 73 kg), Avtandil Chrikishvili (81 kg) an Esther Stam (70 kg).