Georgian judo team has a new coach. Olympic and world champion Irakli Tsirekidze will prepare the team for international tournaments. The most titled sportsman in Georgian judo ended up active sports career and will coach the team for the next four years.

After the end of London Olympic Games, the position of head coach became vacant. Contract with former head coach Peter Seisenbacher expired and the Georgian side did not want to extend contract. The Austrian coach will practice the Azerbaijan team from the next month. Lasha Gujejiani and Giorgi Vazagashvili will coach the Georgian team with Tsirekidze.

New coach and his assistants were presented to candidates of team by Davit Khakhaleishvili, acting president of Judo Federation, at Shota Chochishvili Judo Academy in Dighomi.

“I want to inform you that Irakli Tsirekidze will coach the Georgian team. He practiced with you many months ago. Most of you know him well and I hope you will support him. The Georgian team must be united”, - Khakhaleishvili told judokas.

Vladimer Vardzelashvili, minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, wished successful future to sportsmen with their new coach. He promised to support them.

Irakli Tsirekidze told his judokas:

“This position is a great responsibility for me. I practiced with you and I think it will help me to coach you well. I will do my best for Georgian judo”, - stated Tsirekidze.

After the official presentation, Lasha Gujejiani told judokas that new coach will hold the first practicing on Monday. Then, he made comment for “World Sport”.

“We start new job with great enthusiasm. We do our best to justify hopes and to bring victory to Georgian judo. The first tournament will be held at the end of October (on October 27-28) – it is World Team Championship in Brazil”, - Gujejiani told us.

Otar Maglakelidze