The Georgian judo team is preparing for the first international individual tournament of the season in Tbilisi. Head coach Irakli Uznadze picked up judokas from the medal winners of the Georgian Championship and held the first meeting. Yesterday he named those 14 sportsmen who will wrestle at Paris Grand Slam on February 8-9. “World Sport” talked to the coach about the preparation plan for European Championship.

- When did the team gather?

- At the beginning of January we arrived in Bakuriani and held a 16-day meeting. We returned to Tbilisi several days ago and continue practicing in the sambo gym.

- The team was injured almost the half of the previous season. What is the situation now?

- Amiran Papinashvili, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Zebeda Rekhviashvili, Nugzar Tatalashvili, Varlam Liparteliani and Adam Okruashvili were injured. They have almost recovered and are practicing. Levan Tsiklauri cannot wrestle yet. He was operated on his leg and undergoes rehabilitation course. He will start practicing after European Championship.

- You held only fitness meeting before Paris Grand Slam. Perhaps, the team will not be in optimal form…

- Of course. The boys are not in the best form yet. We are preparing for European Championship (Montpellier, April 27-29) and we must be at the peak by the end of April.

- What is the preparation plan for European Championship?

- The traditional joint practices are followed by Paris Grand Slam. We will participate in it. We will take only Lasha Shavdatuashvili (73 kg) to the practice. On February 15-16 we will wrestle at European Open hosted by Oberwart. On February 21-23 we will compete in Dusseldorf Grand Prix. On March 21-23 Grand Prix will take place in Tbilisi and we will hold the Bakuriani meeting before this tournament. After the tournament we will depart for Germany or Hungary to participate in another joint practice.

- Will four Georgians wrestle at the Tbilisi international tournament again?

- For sure.

- In the past years the medals winners of the Georgian Championship participated in this tournament…

- Perhaps, there will be some changes. The best judokas will wrestle in Tbilisi.

- Last year rumor has it you had problem of receiving the promised premiums after European Championship…

- We received premiums at the end of the year. The government has fulfilled all promises.

Otar Maglakelidze