Jigoro Kano memorial, traditional international tournament, started this morning in Tokyo. This tournament also has a status of “Grand Slam”. Georgian Lukhum Chkhvimiani (60kg) also was involved in this tournament but unfortunately he lost and stayed beyond the top three. In the first circle he faced Yuk Ting Lee of Hong Cong and at first he won over him by waza-ari and yuko and at the end of the meeting tackled. The Georgian could not do anything against Von Chin Kim of South Korea.

Von Chin Kim won the meetings and went through the final of “Grand Slam”, where he lost to Japanese Naohisha Takato and won the silver medal.

Today the champions and prize-winners were revealed in 66kg weight category. In this category Georgian has not participants. Japanese Tomopumi Takayo of Japan became the champion, who defeated Brazilian Sharl Chibina in the final.

“Grand Slam” of Tokyo will last till December 1 and teams of 46 countries will participate. The head coach of the Georgian team put only 8 apprentices in the list. Only Varlam Liparteliani (90kg) and Avtandil Chrikashvili (81kg) will fit Kimono.

Chrikashvili will be involved tomorrow. Pridon Gigani (73kg) and Ushangi Margiani (81kg) will wrestle also tomorrow. Liparteliani, Aleksandre Mskhaladze (100kg), Levan Matiashvili and Giorgi Zakariadze (both +100kg) will take part the day after tomorrow.

Besides these judokas, Amiran Papinashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Nugzar Tatalashvili, Zebeda Rekhviashvili, Nodar Metreveli and Adam Okruashvili are also in Japan with Georgian delegation. They will be involved in the joint trainings after the tournament.

Judo

“Grand Slam”

Tokyo

November 29

Men

60 kg

1 Tomofumi Takayo (Japan)

2 Sharl Chibana (Brazil)

3 Shinji Kido (Japan)

3 Toru Shishime (Japan)

66 kg

1 Naohisha Takato (Japan)

2 Von Chin Kim (South Korea)

3 David Larosh (France)

3 Ren Myazach (Japan)

Otar Magrlakelidze

Photo by Khatia Jijeishvili