Georgian judoka Varlam Liparteliani won the country's first silver several minutes ago at the Rio Olympic Games.
This is Georgia second medal at the Olympic Games after judoka Lasha Shavdatuashvili won bronze on August 8.
In the final bout in the 90kg category, Liparteliani was defeated by world champion Mashu Baker of Japan. The match was extremely close and ended with only one point separating the gold and silver medalists.
It was very emotional when Liparteliani participated in the medal awarding ceremony. As he stood up onto the pedestal and received his silver medal the athlete looked down and had tears in his eyes.
Liparteliani during the medal ceremony. Photo by Georgia at Rio Olympic Games.
Many spectators went online and shared the poignant image of Liparteliani as he received his medal. On Facebook many supporters said how proud they were of Liparteliani and they encouraged him to be proud of his achievements and stand with his head held high.
After the medal ceremony Liparteliani spoke about the final fight. He said he wanted to make his fellow countrymen proud by winning an Olympic gold medal. This was his dream; he wanted to be an Olympic champion.
It has been my dream and desire for a long time. I wished very much to become an Olympic champion but I couldn’t this time. I was disappointed when Avtandil Tchrikishvili was defeated yesterday and I wanted to succeed so I could ease the pain for my people,” said the judoka.
Several Georgian judoka are still yet to compete. Liparteliani said he hoped today Beka Gviniashvili and tomorrow Adam Okruashvili would win gold and become Olympic champions.
Liparteliani, 27, won gold at the European Judo Championships in 2012, 2014 and 2016, silver in 2009, 2013 and 2015 and bronze in 2011.
He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 90kg event and was eliminated in the second round.
The judoka also won silver at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, gold at the Grand Slam Paris in 2013 and gold at the Judo Grand Prix Dusseldorf 2015.