TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW

The Georgian women’s team doesn’t have quite the depth of the men’s yet, but it is growing and has some strong contenders this weekend in the Tbilisi, starting with the -57kg category.

Defending Tbilisi Grand Slam winner, Eteri LIPARTELIANI is currently #9 in the world ranking list, supported by numerous medals on the IJF World Judo Tour, Senior European Championship medals and the maiden title in the European Championships Open. She is certainly blazing the trail for the young women to come after her, which incidentally include Nino LOLADZE.

In 2023, Loladze broke on to the scene with medals in junior cups and an incredible silver medal in the U23 European Championships. The success continued in to 2024 with more cup achievements and furthering her European status with a Junior European silver and another at the U23 level. Now with an opportunity on the home stage, she will have every reason to give her greatest performance for the home crowd.

Sophio SOMKHISHVILI will be one of the leading hopes for a medal, this time in the +78kg category, however she will stiff competition with the likes of Romane DICKO (FRA) leading the charge.

With the flow of competition back following the Olympic Games, and many in preparation for continental championships in a months time, the level of competition is high. Olympic medallists, Tara BABULFATH (SWE) and Shirine BOUKLI (FRA) are heading the -48kg category, Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) in -52kg, the French strength continues with Sarah Leonie CYSIQUE at the top of -57kg, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU is returning in the -63kg category, following top seed and current World Champion, Joanne VAN LIESHOUT (NED).

Author: Thea Cowen

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