Prior to the official draw for the event, Georgian judo stars Lasha Shavdatuashvili, a London 2012 gold medallist, and World Championship silver medallist Varlam Liparteliani took part in a special IJF Training with Champions Masterclass at the Bazaleti Lake Sport complex.

More than 70 children, aged from seven to nine, all had the opportunity to train with their heroes.

"This was a very special day for us as we don't often have the opportunity to train and teach our country's youngest judoka," said Liperteliani.

"I was really happy to be involved and I hope we can take part in similar events in the future to develop judoka and young people as judo is much more than a sport."

Georgian Judo Federation President David Kevkishvili welcomed everyone to Tbilisi before adding: "I would like to thank the IJF staff, the athletes and IJF President, Marius Vizer, for the opportunity to host our first Grand Prix event.

"I wish you all good results and I hope you all enjoy your time in Tbilisi."

Varlam Liparteliani puts some Georgian youngsters through their paces in Tbilisi this week ©IJF



In all, seven men's and seven women's categories will be contested at the Sports Palace from tomorrow until Sunday (March 23).

All eyes will be on home stars and Shavdatuashvili, who will lead the Georgian medal charge as he moves up to the under 73 kilogram category, where he will face competition from compatriot Zebeda Rekhviashvili and the man he defeated in the under 66kg final in London, Hungary's Miklos Ungvari.

Paris Grand Slam winner and current world number one Avtandili Tchrikishvili is sure to get a rapturous welcome from home fans as he steps onto the tatami in the under 81kg class where his biggest threat is likely to come from Düsseldorf Grand Prix winner and world number four, American Travis Stevens.

European champion Amiran Papinashvili will be looking to dominate in the under 60kg category, while the host nation is also well represented in the under 90kg class, where Liparteliani, world junior champion Beka Gviniashvili and Dusseldorf Grand Prix bronze medallist Zviad Gogotchuri will battle it out.

Officials make the draw for the inaugural Tbilisi Judo Grand Prix ©IJF



In the women's event hopes of home success are somewhat less obvious with over 78kg competitor Irine Leonidze likely to be the only Georgian to to make an impression.

Russian Natalia Kuziutina looks like the woman to beat in the under 52kg category after taking gold last time out in Düsseldorf, while compatriot Anastasiya Dmitrieva starts as favourite and top seed in the under 78kg class, where her biggest challenge is expected to come from Croatia's Brigita Matic.

Russia and Croatia are also expected to be vying for medals in the under 70kg competition in the form of Ekaterina Denisenkova and junior world champion Barbara Matic, although Israel's top seed Lior Wildikan will prove a tough to beat.

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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