EYES ON SHAVDATUASHVILI IN SOFIA

A celebrated athlete for a few years made historical past for Georgia final 12 months, Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI grew to become the primary from his nation to have European, world and Olympic titles. Discovering success in each the -66kg and -73kg class has been onerous work however his dedication noticed him full his trio of accomplishments. He’ll enter this years European Judo Championships because the #1 seed and can most definitely be a goal for his opponents. There might be a whole lot of strain, however nothing he isn’t used to.  

As per common the opponents all through the class are robust, not solely will the highest 10 give the Georgian famous person a headache, however may probably carry his European medal dream come crashing. Among the many unseeded there may be Ferdinand KARAPETIAN (ARM) who was in truth European champion in 2018, and Fabio BASILE (ITA), the 2016 Olympic champion. Think about that that is the fact exterior of the seeding. 

Double act for Azerbaijan, Hidayat HEYDAROV and Rustam ORUJOV are #2 and #6 respectively and each have attained a European title up to now; successively in 2017 and 2016. The previous has had a tough interval, he did attempt to compete within the heavier weight class of -81kg however the try to qualify for the Olympics didn’t repay and so he rejoined Orujov. 

Final 12 months’s reigning champion, Akil GJAKOVA (KOS) can be within the line up, however might be threatened by a current IJF tour success story, Salvador CASES ROCA (ESP). With loads of expertise and medals on the EJU circuit, this 12 months he has turned a nook and took silver within the grand prix occasion in Portugal adopted by a bronze within the Antalya Grand Slam. 

Additionally inside the prime 5 are Victor STERPU (MDA) and Tohar BUTBUL (ISR), the latter will actually be focussing on the highest place of the rostrum this 12 months following his defeat within the remaining of 2021. Competing for Bulgaria nonetheless is Mark HRISTOV. He sits simply exterior of the seeding and has slowly been climbing the rating. 

Writer: Thea Cowen

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