Yesterday, Georgian team of Greco-Roman wrestling left for Russia. Begi Darchia’s 7-wrestler team will take place in World Championship on September 6-8 in the capital of Russia, Moscow. On September 10-12 will wrestle free style wrestlers. Zaza Turmanidze head coach of free style wrestlers’ team is still in Tbilisi and holds the final meeting.
According to common opinion, this championship will be difficult for Georgian wrestlers. Russian side has already made one “surprise” to Georgian delegation. They did not give visa without any explanations for Kakha Getsadze the president of Wrestling National Federation.
Kakha Getsadze in an interview with “World Sport” stated the following:” My blocking from Russian side has several meanings. The first is that International Wrestling Federation is to hold meeting in Moscow, where will be elections of presidium. Russian knows that I would not vote for their candidates. The second reason is that if I were there they would not be able to oppress Georgian sportsmen. I m sure, that they will do their best not to listen Georgian anthem in gyp”.
On September 6, on the first day of championship winners will be found out in 55, 66 and 96 kg weight categories among classic wrestlers. Lasha Gogitadze (55kg), Manuchar Tskhadaia (66kg) and Soso Jabidze (96kg) will represent Georgia. On September 7, champions and prize-winners will be found out in 60, 84 and 120 weight categories. Revaz Lshkhi (60kg), Vladimer Gegeshidze (84kg) and Guram Ferselidze (120 kg) will represent Georgia. On September 8 will be found out champions in the last weight category in74 kg. Olympic Champion Mamuka Kvirkvelia will wrestle in this weight category from Georgia. According to head coach Begi Drachia, Kvirkvelia suffered from ankle injury but it is not uneasy.. Rmaz Nozadze(96kg) was excluded due to injury. World and European champion is treating and supposedly will be able to return to international arena next season.
On September 8 women wrestlers are to wrestle in Greco-Roman wrestling. For them are 3 days, but on the third day will wrestle free style wrestlers. On September 10 will wrestle Besik Guchashvili, who has the light weight among Turmanidze’s sportsmen. On 11 September will be found out champion prize-winners in 60, 84 and 96 weight categories and on September 12 in 66, 74 and 120 weight categories. Malkhaz Kurdiani (60kg), Otar Tushishvili (66kg), Gela Sagirishvili (74kg), Davit Marsagishvili (84kg), Giorgi Gogshelidze (96kg) and Levan Berianidze (120kg) will represent Georgia.

Otar Maglakelidze