Judo: Georgia’s Tchrikishvili wins Tokyo Grand Slam

A Georgian judoka has made history after he was crowned champion in Japan, the birthplace of judo.

Avtandil Tchrikishvili won gold in the middle-weight category at the Tokyo Grand Slam, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious judo competitions and also known as the Jigaro Kano Tournament.

Tchrikishvili, who has been a world and European champion during his career and was named as the best Georgian sportsman last year, defeated a Japanese athlete in the final.

Sweet revenge for Avtandili Tchrikishvili with the victory at #JudoTokyo2015. Finally gold. https://t.co/Jvke8v9Zu4pic.twitter.com/NZ4siBbqn3

— JudoInside.com (@JudoInside) December 5, 2015

On his way to the final he also won matches against Dutch and Greek judokas and became the second Georgian to win this prestigious event. The first Georgian who won the Tokyo Grand Slam was David Bodaveli in 1982.

Meanwhile another Georgian Nugzar Tatalashvili won a bronze medal in a different weight category in an all-Georgian fight at the same tournament. Tatalashvili defeated Georgia’s Lasha Shavdatuashvili, a London Olympic judo medalist.

The Tokyo Grand Slam was the final event of the judo year. The competition also acted as a qualification tournament for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In total 295 men and 181 women competed over three days of competition, which boasted €150.000 in prize money.