Cultural institutions, officials send condolences after acclaimed actor, film director, athlete Soso Jachvliani dies at 65

Georgian cultural institutions, the National Olympic Committee and officials on Thursday sent their condolences to the family and colleagues of the acclaimed Georgian actor, director, athlete and former member of the country’s Parliament who died at the age of 65.

The Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sport paid tribute to Jachvliani and noted his acting career had come in addition to successful athletic achievements and his “great role” in the development and popularisation of Georgian arm wrestling.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and members of the country’s legislative body honoured Jachvliani’s memory with a moment of silence at a session of the legislative body.

The National Olympic Committee said Jachvliani was an “honourable person, a recognised artist, a successful athlete and a sports organiser who was especially respected by our society”, and expressed its deep condolences to family and relatives.

Jachvliani became a 1998 World Champion in the 100 kg arm wrestling weight category, while in 2018 he won the European Championship among veterans in Bulgaria.

He was also the founder of the United National Armwrestling Federation and its President until his passing.

His cinema debut was in the 1975 Caucasian Romance, while he was also cast in The Wishing Tree and Pesvebi, among other works. His directorial debut came with the short film My First Love.