The second day of Havana Grand Prix turned out successful for the Georgian judo team. Avtandil Chrikishvili (81 kg) won gold medal and Nugzar Tatalashvili (73 kg) – bronze.
Avtandil Chrikishvili (81 kg) was No.1 seed at the tournament. The Georgian started participation from 1/8 final where he defeated Pedro Castro of Colombia by yuko. Chrikishvili also won over Murat Khabachirov of Russia, Antoine Valois-Fortier of Canada and Travis Stevens of America by waza-ari.
Nugzar Tatalashvili lost gold-silver chance in semifinal. He lost to future champion Sagi Muki of Israel. Before that the Georgian defeated Luis Vega of Argentina and Leandro Cunha of Brazil. In repechage final Tatalashvili beat another Brazilian Marcelo Contini.
Ushangi Margiani (81 kg) also wrestled in the name of Georgia. He beat German Ayala of Mexico and Marcos Figuereo of Dominican Republic. In ¼ final the Georgian failed to Victor Penalber of Brazil. In “bronze semifinal” Margiani defeated Raydel Maren of Cuba but then lost to Antoine Valois-Fortier of Canada.
Avtandil Chrikishvili earned 300 ranking points, Nugzar Tatalashvili – 120 and Ushangi Margiani – 60.
Today Varlam Liparteliani, Beka Gviniashvili (both 90 kg), Adam Okruashvili and Levan Matiashvili (both +100 kg) will wrestle in the name of Georgia.
Otar Maglakelidze