Giorgi KAVTARADZE: “I didn’t have any outstanding achievements at international competitions until I was 29”

Georgian sambist Giorgi Kavtaradze this year successfully performs at international SAMBO tournaments. In April, he became the European SAMBO Champion, and in August he won a bronze medal at the prestigious international tournament Cup of the President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia Gagik Tsarukyan. In an interview for the FIAS website, the athlete spoke about the motivation to win, about the injuries that haunted him and plans for the 2023 World Championships.

How long did it take you to win at the European SAMBO Championships? And what feelings did you experience after it happened?

– At international competitions, I did not have such outstanding achievements until the age of 29. For almost my entire sports career, I have been accompanied by injuries that take a long time to heal. I competed quite successfully in Georgia, but I got injured and had to recover for a long time.

After I have solved my health problems, I was able to compete at the European SAMBO Championships in Israel and immediately won a gold medal. This gave me a lot of strength and additional motivation to train and compete further. I am happy that this peak has submitted to me.

Evaluate your performance in August at the international SAMBO tournament “Cup of the President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia Gagik Tsarukyan”.

– Only titled athletes took part in the tournament. I am pleased with my bronze result, but not entirely delighted with it. Now I will prepare for the World Championships in order to perform there with the best result.

Have you already decided what you will spend the prize money on?

– The money will be needed to prepare for the World Championships, I plan to devote a lot of time to training.

How will the preparation go?

– I will train as part of the national team according to the program provided by the coaches. I will go to the training camp, I will do my best to prepare well.

What is the secret of success? How to become a champion?

– I just really wanted to win. For the first time in my life, I had a chance to take part in such a major tournament as the European SAMBO Championships. I mentally prepared to show all my power and perform at full strength. I think this is the secret of success.

[VIDEO] KAVTARADZE Giorgi vs GAJIC Vladimir. Men +98 kg. European Sambo Championships 2023