Gori to host European Judo Championships event

The central Georgian city of Gori will host the European Judo Championship Club Team - Champions League later this month, bringing together over a hundred competitors from across the world, the Georgian Judo Federation announced on Wednesday.

Submissions for the competition have seen 137 athletes - 60 men and 77 women - from four continents and 16 countries register their participation, with the roster including internationally successful wrestlers Teddy Riner, Denis Vieru, Davlat Bobonov, Manuel Lombardo, Nikoloz Sherazadishvili and Daria Bilodid.

László Tóth, the president of the European Judo Federation, said one of the reasons for Gori being elected as host city was its heritage in producing strong judo athletes and a “great reputation”, in addition to the “enthusiasm” of local fans.

Hosted in Paris last year, two Georgian clubs - Golden Gori and Warrior -  took part in the Champions League. Competition for the bronze medal between the Georgian clubs ended with the win for Golden Gori at the tournament.