The Georgian team has returned home from the United States Air Force Trials with 23 medals under their belt after marking a successful appearance at the international competition for injured servicemembers.
Returning to Georgia on Tuesday with 11 gold, eight silver and four bronze medals, the athletes of the Georgian team were welcomed by Brigadier General Joni Tatunashvili, the Deputy Chief of the Georgian Defence Forces, and Sergeant Giorgi Gogochuri of the Georgian Defence Forces.
The 13-member team featured in the Trials for the first time and was involved in wheelchair basketball, shooting, track & field, indoor rowing and archery in the competition, facing counterparts from the US and the United Kingdom.
The Ministry said the Georgian team had undergone “intensive” preparations for the contest, which was hosted at the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas between February 24-March 3.
The Trials were hosted under the USAF’s Air Force Wounded programme, with the Georgian Ministry noting the competition was intended to “raise combat spirit and motivation” of injured servicemembers and support their rehabilitation through sports.
Another GDF team is taking part in the Marine Corps Trials for wounded and injured marines, sailors and veterans, with the contest starting on February 28 and set to run through March 11 in California.