The final day of the 2023 Grand Slam in Tbilisi ended on a high for the Georgian men – they took all three gold medals.
Day 3 Male medalists of JudoTbilisi ✅ pic.twitter.com/dbTCA0C1LT
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
The stadium was packed to capacity with passionate fans as Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri and European champion Luka Maisuradze battled for the title in the 90kg weight category. Olympic champion Bekauri prevailed in a fight between absolutely equal athletes. Georgian Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Ioseb Baghaturia handed over the medal.
Georgian hero Bekauri thanks the crowd as he takes a home Grand Slam GOLD! Judo JudoTbilisi Georgia WJT RoadToParis2024 OlympicQualifier pic. twitter.com/V9tmaWrTPD
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
“I am proud that today it was confirmed: Georgia the best judo team in the world. To hear the Georgian anthem three times in this fantastic hall, with this fantastic audience – congratulations to my two friends. I am so happy about the three gold medals”.
Lasha Bekauri
Former world champion Anna-Maria Wagner is back with a gold medal at JudoTbilisi! This is grand slam gold 5 for Anna-Maria, what an achievement! Judo JudoTbilisi Georgia WJT RoadToParis2024 OlympicQualifier pic. twitter.com/JZHE2Ay6nJ
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
Ex-world champion up to 78kg Anna Maria Wagner defeated Italy’s Alice Bellandi, a big win for the German that shows her comeback is on the right track. The medal was presented to her by IJF Sports Commission member Imre Csosz.
“It felt so good and I was screaming the moment it was clear, this is my waza-ari, a golden score, it’s my victory and it’s my medal – after one year.”
Anna-Maria Wagner
There was another success for hosts Georgia in the 100kg category – by world champion Ilia Sulamanidze. He was presented with his medal by IJF Referee Director Armen Bagdasarov
Sulamanidze makes it two for Georgia! Judo JudoTbilisi Georgia WJT RoadToParis2024 OlympicQualifier pic. twitter.com/DYZrTWjiyx
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
Over 78kg Raz Hershko was in blistering form – using her superior speed to secure another Grand Slam medal. The gold was presented by IJF Sports Commission member Faissal Raguib.
Raz Hershko does it again! Judo JudoTbilisi Georgia WJT RoadToParis2024 OlympicQualifier pic. twitter.com/3V5vSgHhmh
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
Over 100kg Gela Zaalishvili brought home the medal for Georgia – the third possible for the male heavyweights on the third Grand Slam day. Georgian Judo Federation vice-president David Kevkhishvili presents the medals.
The crowd just can’t get enough of Zaalishvili ⁰Judo JudoTbilisi Georgia WJT RoadToParis2024 OlympicQualifier pic. twitter.com/7vklUgepA8
– Judo (@Judo) March 26, 2023
A spectacular judo day for the local fans – plus there was a trip to the World Judo Championships in Doha 2023 organised by the Georgian Judo Federation to be won.
With this generous gesture, the Grand Slam in Tbilisi comes to an end. Next week it’s already on again – in Antalya, Turkey.