Georgian judoka Avtandil Chrikishvili (81 kg) managed to defend the title of European champion. Chrikishvili defeated Loic Pietri of France by ippon and made Georgian fans, including Mamuka Gorgodze and other Georgian rugby players of “Montpellier”, happy.
Chrikishvili proved once again that he lost to Pietri in the 2013 World Championship final by accident.
Chrikishvili started participation from the second round and won over Alexander Wieczerzak of Germany. In 1/8 final the Georgian beat Sirazhudin Magomedov of Russia and in ¼ final - Roman Moustopoulos of Greece.
Zebeda Rekhviashvili and Nugzar Tatalashvili (both 73 kg) lost ¼ finals.
Rekhviashvili beat Jakub Jecminek of Czech Republic by yuko and Andrea Regis of Italy. He lost to Rok Draksic of Slovenia, current champion of Europe.
In ¼ final Tatalashvili failed to Ugo Legrand of France. Before that he won over Musa Mogushkov of Russia and Dmitrijs Fedosejenkovs of Latvia.
In repechage Tatalashvili and Rekhviashvili wrestled against each other and Nugzar won. Unfortunately, then he failed to Miklos Ungvari of Hungary.
On April 26 champions and prize winners will be found out in the rest 3 weight classes. The following judokas will wrestle in the name of Georgia: Varlam Liparteliani, Zviad Gogochuri (both 90 kg), Guram Tushishvili (100 kg), Adam Okruashvili and Levan Matiashvili (+100 kg).
The 2014 European Championship. Montpellier (France)
73 kg
1. Dax Elmont (Holland)
2. Ugo Legrand (France)
3. Rok Draksic (Slovenia)
3. Miklos Ungvari (Hungary)
5. Nugzar Tatalashvili (Georgia)
7. Zebeda Rekhviashvili (Georgia)
81 kg
1. Avtandil Chrikishvili (Georgia)
2. Loic Pietri (France)
3. Szabolcs Krizsan (Hungary)
3. Sven Maresch (Germany)