In recent years, there is one joyful tradition in Georgia - Europe and World Championships end with the anthem of Georgia. Before the team Championships were held only among adults, but today also juniors tasted it and Georgian once again did their best. U-21 team, coached by Gia Gugava, became a leader almost in one breath.
We are accustomed that the team Championship ended with Georgian and Russian final. This time, it started with Georgian-Russian 1/8 final. Organizers have changed the preliminary decision and increased the number of teams which are participating from 8 to 16. They have not thought much and coupled two European teams in the first circle.
In 66 kg weight category Gela Kelikhashvili wrestled against Ramazan Kodjakov, finalist of Europe Championship 2011. He kept waza-ari, which he took in the start of the meeting, till the end and promoted Georgian team. Levan Gugava (73 kg) lost to Magomedramazan Gazaev 1:3. Ushangi Margiani (81 kg) brought the second point to his team. Margiani beat Aslan Lappinagov in two minutes and half. The fight of Beka Gviniashvili (90 kg) and Ramazan Malsuigenov turned out decisive. European and world Georgian champion won by ippon and guaranteed ¼ final to his team. The fight of heavyweight Giorgi Zakariadze was not important but he needed to take revenge over Anton Krivobokov. The Georgian lost to Anton at European Championship this year. Yesterday the Russian won world gold too and defeated Levan Matiashvili. Unfortunately, Zakariadze could not win. Georgia won over Russia 3:2.
In ¼ final the Georgian judokas wrestled against the Mongolians. Gia Gugava made one change. He replaced Giorgi Zakariadze by Levan Matiashvili. This change worked. Before Matiashvili beat Duurenbayar Ulzibayar, Gela Kelikhashvili won over Tumennasan Erdenetogtokh by waza-ari, Levan Gugava defeated Purevdavaa Baterdene by ippon, Ushangi Margiani – Altanbagana Gantulga by yuko and Beka Gviniashvili – Otgonbaatar Lkhagvasuren by ippon.
In semifinal the Georgians faced Slovenia and all five of them won their fights. Kelikhashvili won over Luka Kuralt by yuko, Gugava – Igor Potparic, Margiani – Primoz Marincic by yuko. Gviniashvili beat Mihael Zgank and Matiashvili – Vito Dragic.
Georgia started wrestling against Greece with loss. Kelikhashvili lost to Georgios Azoidis. Pridon Gigani equalized the score by beating Roman Moustopoulos. Moustopoulos is a son of veteran Georgian judoka Giorgi Revazishvili. He became European champion this year and won world bronze medal in Slovenia. Margiani defeated Alexios Ntanatsidis by waza-ari in one minute and half.
Gviniashvili brought a winning point to his team. The Georgian beat Georgios Maliaropulos by waza-ari. Matiashvili beat David Karaklidis and the score became 4:1.
In the final after the first three fights coaching chairs of the Georgian and the Greek teams were empty. Referee sent off the Greek coach because of his emotions while Gigani-Moustopoulos wrestling and Gia Gugava – while Margiani-Ntanatsidis wrestling.
And one interesting detail, if the Georgian junior team did not have a participant in heavyweight, it would become world champion anyway.
Japan and Ukraine won bronze medals. In women’s final Japan beat France 3:2. Germany and Croatia took the third place.
Otar Maglakelidze
