Georgian Wrestling Federation punished freestyle wrestler and European champion Davit Marsagishvili (84 kg) with 6-month disqualification. Another freestyle wrestler Iakob Makarashvili (74 kg) received the same punishment. Luka Kurtanidze, president of the federation, made a statement about it at the press conference today.

Kurtanidze summarized competition of the Georgian freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling teams at “European Nations Cup” which took place in Moscow on 9-10 November. The Georgian teams won silver medals. The reason of strict sanction was that the sportsmen did not show up on the mat. Iakob Makarashvili did not depart for Russia and explained this decision by injury. However, the federation did not consider this cause convincingly. Marsagishvili arrived from Iran to Russia late and could not participate in the tournament.

“If not irresponsibility of these two wrestlers, we would dedicate today’s press conference to the victory of “European Nations Cup”. They put personal interests above the dignity of the national team and that is why we took the second place. I signed 6-month disqualification of Iakob Makarashvili and Davit Marsagishvili. On 17 December presidium of the federation will decide if the term of the disqualification will remain in force or increase. The punished sportsmen will not compete in Georgian and European Championship. They can only practice with the team” – stated Luka Kurtanidze.

The president of the federation mentioned that Georgia was the only country which made through to both finals. He mentioned good wrestling of the Greco-Roman team but named a tactical mistake as the reason of failure in the final:

“I am a president of the federation and cannot interfere in the competency of the coach but sometimes I think it is necessary. I will name a tactical mistake that Giorgi Tsirekidze (84 kg) and Guram Perselidze (120 kg) were not on the list of the final. If they had wrestled, I am sure, we would have been the main favorite. However, I can only say good things about the Greco-Romans. After the tournament everybody confessed that the Georgian Greco-Roman wrestling team was the best at “European Nations Cup” – added Kurtanidze.

The Georgian freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling teams attended today’s press conference. Davit Marsagishvili and Iakob Makarashvili were not in the hall.

Otar Maglakelidze