Giorgi Gakheladze becomes 1st Georgian enduro racer to ride 2 kilometres on water

Giorgi Gakheladze, a Georgian rider participating in motorcycle sports for off-road and cross-country courses, on Tuesday became the first competitor from the country to cover a distance of two kilometres on the surface of water.

He also became one of only three riders in the world to have crossed a significant distance on water, after he covered a part of the 45-metre-deep Tbilisi Sea lake in the capital on a motorcycle equipped for the purpose.

The 22-year-old reached a speed of 80 kilometres per hour in his feat, which follows his success in domestic competitions.

“The Tbilisi Sea was chosen as the location [for the record run] due to very good natural conditions and landscape, which allows for easy entry on water surface. We entered the top three distances worldwide by covering two kilometres of the area” he said to local press.

Gakheladze is an undefeated champion of Georgian enduro races since 2017, and is now aiming to cross a 30-kilometre section of Georgia's Black Sea coastline, which would mark another record-breaking run for the athlete.