Georgian wounded warriors triumph at international competition

Georgian wounded warriors are celebrating after winning 16 medals at the international competition Wounded Warriors Regiment held in the United States (US).

The fifth annual competition took place on the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in the state of California from March 3-11. The event is an eight-sport Paralympic style invitational involving more than 300 wounded, ill or injured US Marines and international servicemen.

Georgian wounded warriors participated in the event alongside military servicemen of NATO member countries and partner nations, such as Australia, France, Columbia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The aim of the championship, which sees wounded warriors compete in archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track, field, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, is to rehabilitate and integrate the wounded warriors into society.

The Georgian side participated in four disciplines and won three. In total the Georgians achieved 14 gold and two silver medals.

The Georgian warriors gained victory in sitting volleyball, archery and shooting.

In the archery competition, Major Malkhaz Shekilashvili won a gold medal and Junior Sergeant Bakhva Darsalia won a silver medal.

In the shooting event, Corporal Jimsher Chkhenkeli gained first place and a gold medal while Junior Sergeant Davit Makhareishvili came second and gained a silver medal.

The Georgian wounded warriors left the Camp Pendleton with gold medals in sitting volleyball as well.

Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze and representatives of Georgia’s Defence Ministry sports service met the winning soldiers at Tbilisi International Airport yesterday and welcomed them home.

The international competition is held at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton each year.