Today the Georgian judo team won gold and silver medals at European Open in Minsk, Belarus. Varlam Liparteliani became champion in 100 kg. Nugzar Tatalashvili took the second place in 81 kg.
Varlam Liparteliani (100 kg) started participating from the second round. He beat Alexey Kazachkov of Russia by waza-ari, Thomas Briceno of Chile by two waza-aris, Peter Paltchik of Israel and Anton Savytskiy of Ukraine by waza-ari. In final Liparteliani defeated Michael Korrel of Netherlands.
Nugzar Tatalashvili (81 kg) lost to Denis Kalinin of Russia in final.
In the morning program Tatalashvili beat five opponents: Michael Kistler of Switzerland, Daniel Safin of Ukraine, Alu Bochkaev of Russia, Bekzhan Abdualiyev of Kazakhstan and Andranik Chaparyan of Armenia.
Tamaz Kirakozashvili wrestled in the opposite draw of Tatalashvili. We would have seen a Georgian final, if Kalinin had not won over Kirakozashvili in semifinal.
Before semifinal the Georgian judoka beat Ivan Petr of Czech Republic, Matus Milichovsky of Slovakia and Diogo Lima of Portugal.
In “bronze final” Kirakozashvili fell to Joao Martinho of Portugal by ippon.
Beka Dongvani also wrestled in this weight category but he lost the first round to Arturas Maiboroda of Lithuania by ippon.
Lasha Taveluri (100 kg) defeated Pavel Kliuchnikau of Belarus, Denis Tachii of Moldova by two waza-aris, Adlan Bisultanov of Russia and failed to Benjamin Fletcher of Great Britain
In repechage Taveluri won over Mikita Sviryd of Belarus but then lost to Anton Savytskiy of Ukraine.
Avtandil Tchrikishvili’s comeback to the international arena was one of the most important intrigues of this tournament. Tchrikishvili (90 kg) defeated Mantas Klimasauskas of Lithuania and then fell to Li Kochman of Israel.
Nodar Beriani (90 kg) beat Vadym Synyavsky of Ukraine and failed to Marko Bubanja of Montenegro.
Ushangi Margiani (90 kg) beat Artur Haurylavets of Belarus and Rustam Amirmetov of Russia. In ¼ final he fell to Yahor Varapayeu of Belarus. In repechage the Georgian lost to Mammadali Mehdiyev of Azerbaijan and finally, took the 7th place.
Adam Okruashvili and Levan Matiashvili wrestled in heavyweight category. Unfortunately, both of them lost the first rounds.
Adam Okruashvili fell to Nikita Dibrin of Russia and Matiashvili – to Oleksandr Gordiienko of Ukraine.
Women champions and prize winners were also revealed today. Nino Odzelashvili (70 kg) and Elene Kebadze (+78 kg) wrestled in the name of Georgia. Unluckily, both of them finished participating in the morning program.
Nino Odzelashvili lost to Iryna Khryashchevska of Ukraine.
Elene Kebadze beat Galyna Tarasova of Ukraine but then failed to Maryna Slutskaya of Belarus. In repechage semifinal the Georgian fell to Santa Pakenyte of Lithuania and took the 7th place.
