Georgian wrestlers win nine medals at Sambo Championship

Georgia's National Sambo Team has triumphed at the 2016 World Sambo Championships in Bulgaria's capital Sofia after winning nine medals at the international tournament.

The Georgian team's male and female athletes won two gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the November 10-14 competition, which involved nearly 500 athletes from 80 countries.

Of the nine medal winners, wrestlers Paata Ghviniashvili (90kg) and Vakhtang Chidrashvili (57kg) were crowned world champions in their respective categories after winning their gold medal matches. 

The 2016 world championship involved nearly 500 athletes from 80 countries. Photo from the International Sambo Federation.

With this result Chidrashvili claimed his fourth world champion title and became the most successful Georgian sambo wrestler of all time. Meanwhile for Ghviniashvili, the achievement was his first career gold and world champion title.

The two silver medals were won by Levan Nakhutsrishvili and Nikoloz Kutsia and the five bronze medals were won by Zviad Odoshashvili, Davit Loriashvili, Beka Berdzenishvili and Women's National Team members Nino Odzelashvili and Elene Kebadze.

The Georgian National Team was supported by loyal fans in Bulgaria.Photo from the International Sambo Federation.

The nine medals won by team Georgia meant the team finished second behind Russia in the overall rankings.

Georgia's successful appearance at the competition was marked with a special reception at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia earlier today, where Minister Tariel Khechikashvili and his deputy Shalva Gogoladze hosted the athletes and congratulated them on their success.