Georgian servicemember wins 2 gold medals at Invictus Games

Georgian military servicemember Aleksi Beruashvili has won two gold medals at the Invictus Games international competition in the Hague after competing in 200 and 1500-metre jogging, Georgian Defence Ministry announced on Monday.

Beruashvili also scored a silver in the 100-metre race in the competition that involves servicemembers injured during combat or peacekeeping operations.

His medals came along with a bronze for the Georgian team in sitting volleyball, and the same honour was claimed by Ahmed Safarov in the 100-metre wheelchair race, and by Murtaz Osepaishvili and Onise Jugheli in the Land Rover Challenge.

A 20-member group of injured Georgian servicemembers is participating in sports including sitting volleyball, archery, swimming, weightlifting, athletics, para-basketball and rowing.

Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze is attending the games, which in its current edition is hosted in the Hague. The Georgian official met with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, on Monday and discussed the possibility of holding the competition in Georgia in the future, the Ministry said. Photo: Georgian Ministry of Defence

The Ministry also said Harry had spoken to members of the Georgian team, who discussed the impact of the games on the process of their rehabilitation.

Invictus Games have been held in various countries since 2014 under the patronage of the Duke of Sussex, and with involvement of 500 competitors. The Georgian team has participated in the competition four times since the establishment of the tournament, winning bronze and silver medals in various sports. 

The current Invictus Games edition is running between April 16-22.