Giorgi Vazagashvili to support WCPP judoka

Athletes on the British Judo World-Class Performance Programme will have the opportunity to learn from Giorgi Vazagashvili, Olympic bronze medallist and former National Coach of the Georgian National Team.

Vazagashvili had an illustrious fighting career, winning three World medals and being crowned European Champion twice. In addition, he won European medals at three different weight categories: -60kg, -66kg and -73kg.

The Sydney 2000 medallist was a member of the Georgian coaching team for a number of years including during the Rio 2016 cycle.

During the Rio 2016 cycle Georgia won 32 major championship medals with two Olympic medals, seven World medals and 23 European medals.

Vazagashvili will be the third ‘Pool Coach’ for GB Judo in 2018 after visits from 2008 Olympic champion Ole Bischof and 2016 Olympic champion Haruka Tachimoto.

He will make three visits to the Centre before the end of the year which will give Programme judoka and coaches the opportunity to learn first-hand from a world-class athlete and coach.

Nigel Donohue, British Judo Performance Director, said:

“This will be a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to gain an insight into Georgian Judo and their technical grappling style.

“The athletes and coaches learned a lot from having Ole and Haruka at the Centre earlier this year and I have no doubt Georgi’s experience and expertise will enhance our learning as a Programme.”