Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
In 2006, the U17 ‘Olympic Hopes’ event was held in Jicin, Czechia. Among the host of medallists who became future superstars, including KARAKAS Hedwig (HUN), Lukas KRPALEK (CZE), Zebeda REKHVIASHVILI (GEO) and Loic PIETRI (FRA), was an -81kg Varlam LIPARTELIANI of Georgia. Fast forward 18 years and the captain of…
24 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
As always, the third day of the Tbilisi Grand Slam draws in the biggest crowds, with so many potential medallists and champions, it is irresistible. In 2023, three gold medals were claimed by Lasha BEKAURI, Ilia SULAMANIDZE and Gela ZAALISHVILI. This year, the only athlete of the three returning to…
24 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
On day one of the Tbilisi Grand Slam, the crowd was forced to wait until the very final contest to confirm a gold medal, but on day two, they were allowed some impatience as Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI in the -73kg category came through for his supporters half way through the final…
23 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
For every athlete, the competitive chapter must come to an end, and today was marked with the retirement of judo legend, Avtandil TCHRIKISHVILI. The Olympic Palace was packed, all waiting to see one of their heroes take the stage and Tchrikishvili stood to thank his fans. Passing through a tunnel…
23 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
It was another great day in the Tbilisi Grand Slam for team Georgia, with their first ever Olympic, World and European Champion, Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI, going all the way to the final of the -73kg category, defeating Tohar BUTBUL (ISR) to get there. With the Olympic Palace behind him, he used…
23 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
Judo may be a fighting sport, but there certainly isn’t a lack of love stories. The World Judo Tour is a busy schedule and many athletes spend so much time together, living their lives on the road and sharing in one another’s goals, ambitions and can give that undying support.…
22 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
The final block was opened by the -48kg women in Tbilisi, and one of the great stories of the day included Laura ESPADINHA (FRA). Though she didn’t leave with the gold medal, LEE Hyekyeong (KOR) winning the category, the unseeded French athlete made her mark on the IJF World Tour.…
22 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
Down to the final five. The Olympic Games is practically on our doorstep and the top athletes in the world are honing their skills before the major tournament in Paris. This week we are in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where judo isn’t just a sport, but part of the…
22 March 2024Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024 - Tbilisi, Georgia
After an exciting week in Linz, Austria, the IJF World Judo Tour heads back east to one of judo’s leading nations; Georgia. The capital of Tbilisi is getting set to host 557 judoka from an eye-watering 83 nations, but for the national team, this isn’t simply a chance to take…
18 March 2024
Tbilisi Grand Slam 2024