Wrestler Khinchagashvili named Georgia’s sportsperson of the year

Wrestler Vladimer Khinchagashvili was awarded b Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in a special ceremony on January 6. Photo by Tamar Kulumbegashvili.
Agenda.ge, 08 Jan 2016 - 13:49, Tbilisi,Georgia

Wrestler Vladimer Khinchegashvili has been crowned Georgia's sportsperson of the year following a season in which the athlete claimed the world wrestling title for Georgia for the first time in eight years.

Khinchegashvili received the distinction at the special awards ceremony at the Tbilisi Sports Palace that also featured a dozen other prizes for individuals and organisations involved in sports.

Organised by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia, the awards ceremony celebrated Khinchegashvili's achievements in 2015 as Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili handed the athlete the prize.

Khinchegashvili claimed his title at the World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, the United States in September after his triumph in the 57kg wrestling category.

Fencer Irma Khetsuriani was named Para Sportsperson of the Year along with wrestler Zviad Gogorchuri. Photo by Parasport Development Centre of Tbilisi press office.

The victory followed his 2014 European Championship title in Finland.

The athlete also received the annual sportsperson title from the Olympic Committee of Georgia.

Among other individuals singled out at the awards evening was European vice champion in archery Khatuna Narimanidze, named Woman Sportsperson of the Year.

Wrestler Zviad Pataridze was named Young Sportsperson of the Year prize after the athlete celebrated World and European Champion titles throughout the past season.

The gala evening also celebrated fencer Irma Khetsuriani and wrestler Zviad Gogotchuri as para sportspersons of the year and named Sports Federation, Referee and Coach of 2015.

Georgian athletes claimed 670 medals at various competitions over the last year, including 199 gold medals.