Tomorrow a new international judo season will be open in Tbilisi. On February 2-3 Sports Palace will host European Open. It is a new name of “World Cup”.

According to the last information, the following countries will participate in European Open: Japan, France, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Great Britain, Iran, Slovenia, Israel, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Lithuania, Latvia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. European champion Andrei Kazusenok of Belarus is the best from the judokas. He won in 90kg at Tbilisi Sports Palace when he beat Varlam Liparteliani in final.

Tomorrow and athe day after tomorrow Japanese world champion Takeshi Ojitani (+100kg), Armenian European champion Armen Nazarian (66kg) and prize winners: Hovhannes Davtian (60kg) and Belarusian Alexander Stiashenka (81kg). As for the Georgian team, it will compete with four staffs. Head coach Irakli Tsirekidze put current champions and prize winners of Georgia on the list. He made exclusion for two champions – Avtandil Chrikishvili (81kg) and Varlam Liparteliani (90kg). They will participate in Paris “Grand Slam” next week. Lasha Zurabiani (81kg) and Jumber Gigauri (90kg) will wrestle instead of them in Tbilisi.

In spite of changing the name of the tournament, points are the same – champions will earn 100 ranking points, silver medal winners – 60, bronze medal winners – 40, losers of repechage final – 20 etc.

The biggest intrigue of the upcoming tournament is the changes.

It is forbidden to touch leg with hand. There are some restrictions in seizing – when judoka seizes, his opponents must use only one hand to release. If he uses two hands, he will receive shido. There will be only one referee instead of three. Video referee will help him. There will be no hantei and if five minutes end up draw, the fight will continue until any judoka gains point.

On February 2 champions and prize winners will be found out in 60, 66 and 73 kg and on February 3 – in 81, 90, 100 and +100kg. Preliminary fights will start at 10:00 and ticket prize is 1 GEL.

At the Tbilisi international tournament, Georgian Wrestling Federation plans to see off Olympic and world champion Irakli Tsirekidze from active sport.

 

European Open. Tbilisi. February 2-3

Georgian team

60kg

Vazha Margvelashvili

Amiran Papinashvili

Paata Merebashvili

Giorgi Brolashvili

66kg

Tristan Peikrishvili

Mindia Liluashvili

Vano Totladze

Tornike Tatarashvili

73kg

Nugzar Tatalashvili

Arsen Macharashvili

Zebeda Rekhviashvili

Giorgi Papunashvili

81kg

Paata Gviniashvili

Levan Tsiklauri

Ioseb Chilindrishvili

Lasha Zurabiani

90kg

Zviad Gogochuri

Lasha Taveluri

Beka Gviniashvili

Jumber Gigauri

100kg

Giorgi Nozadze

Giorgi Kavtaradze

Davit Loriashvili

Lasha Guruli

+100kg

Levan Matiashvili

Adam Okruashvili

Giorgi Zakariadze

Onise Bugadze

 

Otar Maglakelidze