Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi 2024 Day 3: Georgia finishes with four gold medals. IJF

There were four Georgian athletes on the final day of the 2024 Judo Tbilisi Grand Slam, but only two represented their homeland. It was the last day of an interesting and intense event in the capital of the Caucasian country.

Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Lasha Bekauri (Georgia) was too strong for his opponents in the men's -90 kg category. He won his final bout against Azerbaijan's Eljan Hajiyev with an ippon in the 57th second. 

Two-time world champion and Tbilisi-born Nikoloz Sherazadishvili, who has represented Spain since 2014, defeated home crowd favourite Mikheil Japaridze in the semi-finals of the -100 kg category and went on to win the tournament with a victory over Shady Elnahas (Canada) in the final.

Tbilisi-born Nikoloz Sherazadishvili was cheered by the crowd during his final bout. IJF
Tbilisi-born Nikoloz Sherazadishvili was cheered by the crowd during his final bout. IJF

There were two ethnic Georgians in the men's super heavyweight final, with Tokyo 2020 runner-up Guram Tushishvili (Georgia) facing 2018 World runner-up Ushangi Kokauri, representing Azerbaijan. 

It was a repeat of the Baku 2018 World Championships final, where Tushishvili won with an ippon in the final seconds of the bout. This time Tushishvili needed just 51 seconds to beat his opponent with an ippon and win Georgia's fourth gold medal of the tournament.

Ukraine and Germany won the last two gold medals in the women's competition. Yuliia Kurchenko (Ukraine) defeated Guusje Steenhuis (Netherlands) in the final of the 78 kg category, while Renee Lucht (Germany) defeated Coralie Hayme (France) in the gold medal bout of the +78 kg category.

Rio 2016 runner-up Varlam Liparteliani announced the end of his career. IJF
Rio 2016 runner-up Varlam Liparteliani announced the end of his career. IJF

During the Tbilisi Grand Slam, Georgian fans bid farewell to 2014 World Champion Avtandili Tchrikishvili and Rio 2016 runner-up Varlam Liparteliani, who announced the end of their careers.

Results from Day 3 of the 2024 Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi

Women's -78 kg:
1. Yuliia Kurchenko (Ukraine).
2. Guusje Steenhuis (Netherlands).
3. Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (Ukraine).
3. Alina Boehm (Germany).

Women's +78 kg:
1. Renee Lucht (Germany).
2. Coralie Hayme (France).
3. Hyeonji Lee (South Korea).
3. Asya Tavano (Italy).

The medallists in the women's +78 kg category. IJF
The medallists in the women's +78 kg category. IJF

Men's -90 kg:
1. Lasha Bekauri (Georgia).
2. Eljan Hajiyev (Azerbaijan).
3. Juyeop Han (South Korea).
3. Theodoros Tselidis (Greece).

Men's -100 kg:
1. Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (Spain).
2. Shady Elnahas (Canada).
3. Laurin Boehler (Austria).
3. Zsombor Veg (Hungary).

Men's +100 kg:
1. Guram  Tushishvili (Georgia).
2. Ushangi Kokauri (Azerbaijan).
3. Saba Inaneishvili (Georgia).
3. Andy Granda (Cuba).