Sport
Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling to run for mayor of Gori for Georgia’s ruling party
Lado Khinchegashvili (Sova.news). TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgian Dream has nominated Olympic champion Vladimer (Lado) Khinchegashvili as a candidate for mayor of Gori in the October local elections. Following the results of the previous elections in this city, the 30-year-old athlete, who has not yet made a public announcement to leave the sport, will most likely win this election. [...]
Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze sets three world records in one day
Lasha Talakhadze. TBILISI, DFWatch--“Lasha Talakhadze is the strongest man walking the planet… maybe ever in sports,” exclaimed the commentator after the Georgian giant set three World Records in a single day at the World Weightlifting Championships 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand on Friday. With 220 kg in snatch, 264 kg in clean and jerk and [...]
Georgian weightlifter breaks three world records
'The strongest man in the world', Lasha Talakhadze. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgian Olympic champion Lasha Talakhadze broke three world records at the European Weightlifting Championships in Georgia on Saturday. All three records broken by ‘the strongest man in the world’ were set by himself. The 25-year-old Georgia only needed four lifts to set records on snatch, [...]
Georgian wins sumo wrestling championship in Japan
Levan Gorgadze (Tochinoshin) is the third European in history to win the highest division of sumo wrestling. TBILISI, DFWatch–A 30-year-old Georgian unexpectedly won a sumo wrestling championship in Japan. Levan Gorgadze clinched his first ever victory in the highest division, Makuuchi. Gorgadze, who competes under the ring name (shikona) Tochinoshin, […]
Six far right activists arrested during anti-gay protest at football federation
TBILISI, DFWatch–Six far right activists were arrested Tuesday night at the office of the Georgian Football Federation’s (GFF) in Tbilisi, as they protested the wearing of a rainbow colored LGBT armband by one of the national team members. The right wing nationalists demand that the federation […]
Georgian world boxing champion arrested in the US
WBO world middleweight champion Avtandil Kurtsidze. TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian world boxing champion has been arrested in the United States along with a martial arts practicioner, also from Georgia, for alleged ties to a Russian crime syndicate. Avtandil Khurtsidze, who currently holds a World Boxing Organization middleweight title, […]
Georgian judo team takes two gold at Düsseldorf Grand Prix
Beka Gviniashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian judo team performed brilliantly at Düsseldorf Grand Prix with two gold medals and second place ahead of Russia and France. The team from Japan won the competition with five gold medals. Vazha Margvelashvili (-66 kg) and Beka Gviniashvili (-90 kg) […]
Zviad Gogochuri wins Georgia’s first ever Paralympics gold
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Zviad Gogochuri on Saturday took gold in the men’s 90kg judo competition at the Rio Paralympics. This is the first gold by a Georgia athlete in the Paralympics since the country became independent in 1991. In the final, […]
Georgia’s Nino Khomeriki 2nd time European chess champion
Nino Khomeriki. (Georgian Chess Federation.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Nino Khomeriki has become European youth chess champion for the second time. Yesterday’s win at the European Youth Chess Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, is the second time Khomeriki claims the title. […]
Geno Petriashvili wins bronze in men’s frestyle 125kg wrestling
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Geno Petriashvili from Georgia won bronze in men’s freestyle 125 kg wrestling in the Rio Olympics on Saturday. This is Georgia’s seventh medal in the games: two gold, one silver and four bronze medals. In the final, Petriashvili won against Tervel Dlagnev […]
Georgia’s Khinchegashvili wins Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling
Vladimer Khinchegashvili. (1tv.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Vladimer Khinchegashvili won gold in men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling at the Rio Olympics on Friday. Georgia now has two gold medals in the games. In the final, Khinchegashvili faced Japan’s Rei Higuchi, who got silver. The first round […]
Miraculous weightlifter wins first Gold for Georgia in Rio, beating World Record
Lasha Talakhadze scoring World Record. TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian weightlifter competing in the heaviest, +105 kg, category won the country’s first Olympic gold in these summer games, setting a new world record, while his teammate from the same weight category won bronze. Lasha Talakhadze, […]
Wrestler Bolkvadze wins bronze, Georgia’s third medal in Rio
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Shmagi Bolkvadze took bronze in the Rio Olympics Tuesday in the Men’s Greco-Roman 66 kg wrestling. Georgia now has two bronze and one silver medal. The two other medals were won in Judo. Bolkvadze competed against Japan’s Tomohiro Inoue, […]
Georgia takes second medal at Rio Olympics
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani won silver medal in men’s 90 kg judo at the Rio Olympics. This is the country’s second medal in the games. Liparteliani defeated Gwak-Dong Han from South Korea in the semi-final, but in the final round, he was […]
Georgia’s triumphant judo win over Russia eight years after war
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won its first medal in the Rio Olympics on Tuesday, as Lasha Shavdatuashvili claimed the bronze medal in men’s 73kg judo. He defeated Sagi Muki from Israel in the final rounds. Earlier, he defeated Denis Yartsev of Russia in the quarter finals, […]
Georgian team won European judo championship
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Judo Team won the European Judo Championship in Kazan, Russia. In the final competition, the Georgian male judo team won 3:2 against the Russian team. The victories were won by Nugzar Tatalashvili, Avtandil Chrikishvili […]
Georgian football official dies after being hit by police car
Davit Petriashvili. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian football official died in a car accident Tuesday morning. Davit Petriashvili (46) was hit by a police car in the center of Tbilisi and died on the spot. Petriashvili who used to manage relations between the Georgian Football Federation […]
Georgian Football Federation elects new president
Levan Kobiashvili addressing the media after being elected new president of GFF. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A lengthy and intense debate in the Georgian Football Federation Saturday ended in the election of Levan Kobiashvili as new president. GFF’s former president Zviad Sichinava resigned after the UEFA Super Cup match in Barcelona-Sevilla in Tbilisi. […]
Georgian professional NBA player signs contract to train youth in Tbilisi
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Sports Ministry has handed a property in Tbilisi to a Georgian who is a professional NBA player in the United States, playing for Dallas Mavericks. Zaza Pachulia, who is also captain of Georgia’s national team, plans to establish […]
UEFA Super Cup: Barcelona-Sevilla ends 5-4
Lionel Messi was declared best player of the match. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Barcelona won last night’s UEFA Super Cup 5-4 against Sevilla, which was played at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. It was the team’s fifth Super Cup win in a row. Sevilla scored the first goal, but Barcelona scored three goals, ending the first half 3-1. […]
Embattled president of Georgian Football Federation resigns
Photo: “I am the person who ruined Georgian football,” Zviad Sichinava said sarcastically of his resignation (Pia.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of the Georgian Football Federation resigns after an epic UEFA Super Cup in which Barcelona beat Sevilla during extra time with a final score 5-4. “As it is in Big Football, a person should leave on his peak,” Zviad Sichinava, Georgian […]
Tbilisi gearing up for UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla
Barcelona players preparing for today’s match. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Everything is set for this year’s UEFA Super Cup final between Barcelona and Sevilla. It begins at 22:45pm at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Before the match there will be a display of Georgian folk dances and a rendition of the UEFA Super Cup anthem. […]
Host country Georgia takes ten medals in Jr Olympics
(Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won ten medals in the European junior Olympics, which ended in Tbilisi on Saturday. Four gold and six bronze went to the home nation in this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival. Nine of the Georgian medals were in judo, while one […]
Tbilisi 2015: Georgia takes two more gold medals in Jr Olympics
Mzia Beboshvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch-Georgia took two more gold on Thursday in the European junior Olympics which are currently being held in Tbilisi. Mzia Beboshvili won in 52kg women’s judo category, defeating her opponent Ilse Buren from the Netherlands. “Everyone […]
Youth Olympics: Georgia takes five medals in judo
Irakli Garibashvili congratulated Robinzon Beglarashvili on his gold medal. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has won five medals so far in the European Youth Olympic Festival, which is being held in Tbilisi. All medals, one gold and four bronze, were won in judo. Robinzon Beglasrishvili Wednesday won gold in men’s 60kg category, […]
Tbilisi Olympic festival not prepared for people with special needs
(Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Youth Olympic Festival does not have proper infrastructure for people with special needs, according to Georgia’s ombudsman. Rustavi 2 reported Sunday that wheelchair users and others with special needs who wanted […]
European Youth Olympic Festival opened in Tbilisi
Zurab Zviadauri lit the Olympic the torch. (Tbilisi 2015.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Youth Olympic Festival opened in Tbilisi Sunday evening. About 1,500 people attending the opening ceremony at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. The ceremony lasted about two hours and included Georgian national dances […]
Ticket sale for UEFA Super Cup ends
(DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ticket sales for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Sevilla and Barcelona ended at 5:15am Sunday, leaving thousands of fans disappointed. 22,089 tickets were sold at booths. When ticket sales opened at 9am on Sunday, […]
Thousands waited for UEFA Super Cup tickets
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several thousand people showed up in Vake Park near Meskhi stadium on Saturday to buy tickets for the UEFA Super Cup match between Sevilla and Barcelona in Tbilisi on August 11. The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) […]
Georgians lining up to buy tickets for UEFA Super Cup
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Hundreds of Georgia fans rushed to line up in Tbilisi’s Vake Park to secure seats for the UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla a day before ticket sales starts. Tickets for the match should have been sold online weeks in advance, […]
Azerbaijani football supporters take revenge on Georgians with map
“Borchali is the land of our ancestors” – posters of Azerbaijani fans during the match (Facebook) TBILISI, DFWatch–Azerbaijani football supporters took revenge against their Georgian counterparts on Wednesday by holding a poster with a subtle political message during a match in Gabala. A few days ago, Georgian supporters trampled on an Azerbaijanian […]
Tbilisi almost ready to host UEFA Super Cup
Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Stadium is now ready for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla, the mayor of Tbilisi said after a session of the organizing committee on Tuesday. Mayor Davit Narmania said his city is ready to host the Super Cup […]
Tickets for UEFA Super Cup to be sold from booths starting Sunday
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tickets for the UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla will be sold from booths in Tbilisi, starting July 12 at 9am. Tickets will be available only in booths at Mikheil Meskhi stadium in Tbilisi after the website biletebi.ge […]
Georgian football fans accused of trampling on Azerbaijanian flag
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian football fans are accused of having insulted supporters of the visiting team by trampling on an Azerbaijanian flag after a match between Dinamo and Gabala in Tbilisi on Thursday. The UEFA Europa League qualifier ended 2-1 to the […]
Online ticket sale of UEFA Super Cup tickets opens, and closes
TBILISI, DFWatch–Online ticket sale for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevilla began Tuesday morning, but was stopped in the evening due to technical problems. The site biletebi.ge began selling tickets at 9am, but at 9pm […]
80% of UEFA Super Cup tickets will be reserved for Georgians
TBILISI, DFWatch–80% of tickets for the August 11 UEFA Super Cup match between Barcelona and Sevillia in Tbilisi will be sold exclusively to Georgians. Only 6,000 tickets will be earmarked for visiting football fans from abroad. Eka Eloshvili, spokesperson for Georgian […]
Biletebi.ge given 48 hours to solve UEFA Super Cup ticket mess
TBILISI, DFWatch–The website responsible for selling tickets to the August 11 UEFA Super Cup between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC has been given 48 hours to solve its technical problems. Zviad Sichinava, President of the Georgian Football Federation, told journalists that the tickets won’t […]
Website selling UEFA Super Cup tickets goes down
TBILISI, DFWatch–The website biletebi.ge, which is responsible for selling tickets for UEFA Super Cup 2015, went down Monday morning. Administrators claim they have been the target of a cyber attack and that enormous amounts of users have tried to enter the site at the same time. […]
Georgian sports commentator fired for mangling football match
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Public Broadcaster has fired a sports commentator who made several mistakes during an under-19 football match between Georgia and Portugal. He mixed up the players, teams and also the score. Even though he later apologized, Sandro […]
Eight detained in Georgia for match-fixing
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Police in Georgia detained eight persons on Tuesday for match-fixing. Some of the detainees are football (soccer) players. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the detainees include the president of the football club Stu Tbilisi, […]
Georgian team wins women’s world chess championship
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The World Women’s Team Chess Championship 2015 was won by Georgia, with Russia and China in second and third place, respectively. The Georgian team consisted of Bela Khotenashvili, Meri Arabidze, Nino Batsiashvili, Lela Javakhishvili […]
Top Georgian football team disqualified because it is broke
Zestaponi players on a practice trip to Spain in 2012. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) has banned one of the country’s top teams from taking party in national championships after it stayed away from a match due to financial problems. GFF decided this after Zestaponi FC violated the rules […]
Georgian kickboxer accused of robbery in Russia
Irakli Gvinjilia. (timer.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian athlete and four time world champion in kickboxing was detained in Moscow last month, accused of robbery. Russian media outlets report that Irakli Gvinjilia is accused of stealing 70,000 Russian rubles, or about USD 1,000, from someone […]
Georgian takes gold medal in World Judo Championship
Avtandil Chrikashvili won gold in men’s half middleweight in the World Judo Championship. (Photo published by the Georgian Judo Federation.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Avtandil Chrikashvili, 23, won a gold medal in the 2014 World Judo Championship on Thursday in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Chrikashvili won six fights and in the end defeated Antoine Valois-Fortier from Canada in the men’s half middleweight […]
Georgia qualifies for EuroBasket with 71-59 win against Portugal
Georgia’s basketball team is qualified for the European championship next year, after winning against Portugal. TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s basketball team won 71-59 against Portugal on Wednesday and is qualified for FIBA 2015. The Georgian team is now on top of Group E with four wins and two losses, followed by Czech Republic, Hungary and Portugal. Georgia’s […]
Georgia’s basketball team won 79-59 against Hungary
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national basketball team won 79-59 against Hungary on Sunday, in a qualification match for the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket. The Georgian team was only losing for one quarter of Sunday’s match. Tornike Shengelia played best among the teammates […]
Georgia’s basketball team won against Portugal
Georgia won 90-91 against Portugal Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s national basketball team Sunday evening won against Portugal in a qualification match for FIBA EuroBasket 2015 played at Arena Dolce Vita in Ovar. Georgia won 90-91, which was quite surprising as the team was losing the game almost before the fourth […]
Georgia beats Czech Republic 73-62 in EuroBasket qualifier
Georgia won 73-62 against Czech Republic in Tbilisi on Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s basketball team won 73-62 against the Czech Republic on Sunday in a qualification match for FIBA EuroBasket 2015. There was a scuffle during the match. On one of the tribunes, Georgian fans started a quarrel. It didn’t last long, […]
Rights groups want tougher reaction to chauvinistic football fans
TBILISI, DFWatch–A number of human rights organizations in Georgia have united under the name ‘No to Phobia’ and want the government to show a tougher attitude to what happened during a football match between Georgian and Azerbaijani teams a few days ago. […]
Georgian and Azerbaijani football supporters clash in Baku
Chikhura supporters brought with them a map which shows Georgia with expanded territories. TBILISI, DFWatch-UEFA has issued a 15,000 euros fine to a Georgian football team after its supporters clashes with supporters of an Azerbaijanian team in Baku. The clashes took place during and after a qualification match for UEFA Europe League. After the match, another […]
Georgian and Turkish football players clash in Tbilisi
The fight broke out during a match between Georgia’s Chikhura played and Turkey’s Bursa. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian and Turkish soccer players clashed in Tbilisi on Thursday, during a qualification match for UEFA Europe League. Georgia’s Chikhura defeated Turkey’s Bursa with a score 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out. The scuffle started when a Georgian […]
Georgian wins European junior wrestling championship
Tarzan Maisuradze won the European junior wrestling championship in Katowice. (Photo by Sport Zone.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian wrestler Tarzan Maisuradze on Tuesday won the European junior wrestling championships in Katowice, Poland. Maisuradze won in Men’s Junior Freestyle 74 kg, defeating Konstantin Gkontsis from Greece, Murat Erturk from Turkey, […]
Riot interrupts football match in Georgia
Fans of Kutaisi’s football club FC Torpedo ran onto the field and attacked the visiting players. (Photo published by Dinamo Tbilisi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A match of Georgia’s National Football Championship in Kutaisi between old rivals, local FC Torpedo and Dinamo Tbilisi, was interrupted by the riot of Torpedo fans who flooded the field and attacked Dinamo players and their fans. The score was 2-0 in […]
Figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili in 17th place at Sochi
Elene Gedevanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili Wednesday ended up in 17th place in the Sochi Olympics. The 24-year old competed in the short program against 30 athletes at Iceberg Skating Palace. Gedevanishvili received 54.70 point from the jury. That […]
Georgian Nino Tsiklauri finishes 49th in giant slalom
Nino Tsiklauri in the giant slalom competition Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian alpine skier participating in the Sochi Winter Olympics competed on February 18 and finished in 49th place. Nino Tsiklauri is one of four Georgians taking part in the Games, and was flag bearer for the Georgian team. Tuesday, she competed […]
Georgian wins judo gold at Grand Slam Paris
Avtandil Chrikashvili. (Photo by Georgia’s Sports Ministry.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Avtandil Chrikashvili won a gold medal at the Judo Grand Slam Paris 2014 tournament. Two other Georgians, Amiran Papinashvili and Varlam Liparteliani, won silver medals. Chrikashvili defeated competitors from Netherlands, France, Japan […]
Georgia to not send officials, only athletes to Sochi Olympics
Figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili and three other Georgian athletes are participating in the Sochi Winter Olympics in less than two months. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian athletes will participate in the Sochi Winter Olympics, but the country will not send an official government delegation. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said a few days ago in an interview with Russia Today that only Georgian athletes […]
Boycott Sochi petition has gathered over 8000 signatures
Paata Zakareishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A petition calling for Georgia to boycott the Sochi Winter Olympics has gathered over 8000 signatures. The petition was started by local non-governmental organizations. ISFED and Transparency International Georgia do not exclude that there will […]
Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not take part in Olympics
TBILISI, DFWatch–The two Georgian breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not take part in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as independent nations. Georgia’s National Olympic Committee has received a letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) […]
France-Georgia ends 0-0 at Tbilisi stadium
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia played 0-0 against France in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match Friday. The teams met at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi. Goalkeeper Giorgi Loria successfully blocked what could have been a goal, and the game ended in a draw. “I am proud […]
Tottenham beats Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5
Dinamo Tbilisi lost 0-5 to Tottenham Hotspur in Tbililsi Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Dinamo Tbilisi lost Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur 0-5. The play-off match for UEFA Europa League was held at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Tottenham scored in the 13th minute and added one more goal in the first half. By the end of [...]
Tottenham plays against Dinamo Tbilisi Thursday
Tottenham players training in Tbilisi before Thursday’s match. (Tottenham Hotspur website.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Tbilisi plays against Tottenham Hotspur at 20:00 today at Dinamo stadium in Tbilisi. The London team arrived in Georgia on Tuesday and left the airport without comment. Practicing matches were held at Dinamo stadium. The match is part of the […]
Georgia loses 0-1 to Serbia in U19 championship
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s on Tuesday lost 0-1 to Serbia in the European under-19 football championship in Lithuania. This is the first time Georgia has qualified and the team is now in third place in group B with one point after a 0-0 match against France. Serbia remains on top […]
Georgia’s U19 team gets first point in UEFA championship
Georgia’s U19 team took its first point in the European championship Sunday in a match against France that ended 0-0. (UEFA.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s U19 football team played 0-0 against France on Sunday, gaining its first points in the European championship in Lithuania. “I’m really dissatisfied with the first half of the match. The other half was better,” Georgian U19 coach […]
Former AC Milan player Kaladze played farewell match
Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (center left) and Kakhi Kaladze at Dinamo Stadium in Tbilisi Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The farewell match of former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze on Friday ended with Kaladze’s friends losing 1-3 to Milan. Kaladze, who is Energy Minister now, played for Milan against his friends, a team which was mainly filled by well-known Georgian […]
Update: Former AC Milan player Kaladze’s farewell match
Kakhi Kaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze’s farewell match on May 31 is getting closer and people are already queuing to buy tickets. Davit Mujiri, who coordinates the organizing of the match, on Wednesday held a press conference to give more details […]
Former AC Milan player Kaladze’s farewell match May 31
Former AC Milan player Kahki Kaladze, is energy minister in his native country Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Andriy Shevchenko, Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Nesta, these are among the confirmed names for football players who will take part in the farewell match of former AC Milan player and current Minister […]
Georgia best nation in European Judo Championships
Amiran Papinashvili (left) and Lasha Shavdatuashvili, two of Georgia’s gold medalists this year. (Ministry of Sport.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia won the 2013 European Judo Championships for men with three gold, three silver and one bronze medal, followed by Russia with one gold, one silver and one bronze and France with one gold and six bronze. The Georgian team won a gold medal […]