Georgian judo team has a new head coach. Olympic and world champion Irakli Tsirekidze will coach the team for the next 4 years. Lasha Gujejiani and Giorgi Vazagashvili will be his assistants. New coaching staff will work from Monday. Irakli Tsirekidze talked to “World Sport” about his future plans.

-         I have thought a lot about coaching lately. I have decided to become coach after ending active sports career. I am happy for this challenge.

-         Does it mean that you will not wrestle on tatami anymore?

-         Yes, it is true. I have ended up active sports career.

-         Who offered you to become head coach of the team?

-         I offered myself. I applied to Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and they decided to count on me. I will try to justify their hopes.

-         Do you have plan?

-         Of course, I do. Presidential elections of Georgian Judo Federation will be held on October 5. I will present working plan to new president. I hope I will be supported.

-         It is not a little risk to take responsibility without having coaching experience…

-         I have experience in active sport. I have worked with number of experienced coach. Besides that, Lasha Gujejiani and experienced coach Giorgi Vazagashvili will be by my side.

-         What are you going to change?

-         There are some nuances I will pay attention to.

-         Can you name them?

-         For example, sports medicine.

-         Which international tournaments are you planning to compete in?

-         I do not know yet. We will compete in World Team Championship in Brazil on October 27-28. I want to wrestle at Kano Memorial in Japan in winter.

-         How do you estimate competition of Georgian team in Olympic Games?

-         We won gold medal and it is good but the team had more potential.

-         What was the reason?

-         I do not want to talk about it.
 

Otar Maglakelidze