Several days ago while visiting Judo Academy, I heard strange information. The issue was about presumable change in Georgian sambo team for World Championship (November 9-11, Minsk). It was said that Mirian Pavliashvili will be substituted with Levan Zhorzholiani in 100kg. At that moment Pavliashvili was in Belarus with other members of the team. The presumable change seemed strange. Davit Loriashvili became champion of Georgia in 100kg. So, he deserved place in the team most of all but…

I thought it was rumor and I decided not to write about it. The team has World Championship ahead and “World Sport” did not want to disturb sportsmen and managers with questions about this issue. Here is the interview with Davit Loriashvili. The sportsman who has been oppressed at domestic judo and sambo championships did not want to talk about injustice.

-         When I head Georgian Championship was ahead, I started practicing. I could not practice for 8 months due to injuries and I did not have to practice then but Soso Liparteliani, president of Sambo Federation, told me that the Georgian Championship was inevitable for wrestling at World Championship. I practiced for 2 weeks. I took risk and became champion of Georgia.

-         Champions of Georgia are in sambo team. When did you find out that you could not get in the list?

-         I have found out it recently. The team held meeting in Dusheti. I was preparing for World Championship but Mirian Pavliashvili joined us and said he would wrestle in 100kg in Minsk. Everybody accepted his statement. I guessed I did not have a chance. I asked Avto Tsintsadze to tell me what was going on. He told me it was how it should be and I would wrestle in 100kg in future.

-         What did you Pavliashvili tell you?

-         He told me nothing but I heard from boys that if he could not wrestle I would wrestle instead of him.

-         Did you participate in test wrestles at the practices?

-         I wrestled against Pavliashvili and I did not feel resistance from him. Unfortunately, nobody paid attention to it. They acted like I was not there.

-         How do you think what was the reason of this ignore?

-         I cannot count how many times I have been oppressed. I moved from judo to sambo because of injustice but I was treated badly here as well. I do not have influential friend, unlike my opponents.

-         Did Levan Zhorzholiani participate in the Dusheti meeting?

-         Zhorzholiani did not arrive in Dusheti. He did not participate in Georgian Championship and Minsk meeting was held without him.

-         According to some information, getting Pavliashvili in the list was a tactic move. Then, he would have been substituted with Zhorzholiani. Did you know about it?

-         I did not know it. I trust the words of Pavliashvili. I cannot believe that Pavliashvili participated in such arrange.

-         It is easier to get in top 3 of World Sambo Championship. Besides that, medal is a guarantee of winning much money. Perhaps, financial issue is decisive.

-         I cannot say anything. I have not thought about it. I have been oppressed many times. I have been in judo team for 8 years. I have become champion of Georgia three times but I have never been allowed to wrestle at European Championship. I deserved to wrestle there. I am 27 years old. I am very tired.

-         Have you thought about continuing career in other country?

-         Yes, I told the managers to let me go abroad. They told me if I did it they would disqualify me for a long time. To tell the truth, I did not have any offer. I wanted to practice and wrestle somewhere.

-         What are you going to do?

-         I do not know. I have no nerves but I will fight. This injustice must end up. A lot must be changed. As for sports plans, I am preparing for Georgian Judo Championship.

Otar Maglakelidze