Georgian wrestlers participated in the inaugural international freestyle wrestling tournament named after the Khadartsev brothers, held in Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, Russia, on October 1-2. Athletes from occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, referred to by the organizers as independent countries, also took part in the tournament.
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The tournament was held with the support of the Russian Wrestling Federation. Based on information published by the organizers, Saba Kobakhidze, Dimitri Jioevi, Giorgi Elbakidze, Nikoloz Beshidze, Rezo Marsagishvili, Aleksandre Meladze, Levan Bazadze, and Giorgi Gogritchiani represented Georgia in the competition. However, none of them secured a prize.
More than 150 participants from 24 countries took part in the international tournament, organizers say.
"After our invincible Russian athletes were barred from competing in the European and World Championships, and we were not allowed to participate in the Paris Olympic Games, President Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] said: 'If they don't allow our Russian athletes, we will hold such tournaments in Russia that all countries will come to us,'" said Makharbek Khadartsev, the tournament organizer, former wrestler, and Olympic champion. He added that the tournament will be held annually.
The Georgian Wrestling Federation announced that they were unaware of the participation of Georgian athletes in the tournament - they had not received an invitation, nor had they sent anyone to Vladikavkaz.
"These athletes are not active members of the national team, nor are their coaches. They went of their own accord," said the Wrestling Federation, adding that the disciplinary committee is reviewing the matter.
This is not the first time Georgian wrestlers have traveled to Russia. In 2018, a photo surfaced showing wrestlers Geno Petriashvili and Zurab Iakobishvili, along with the national team coach Giorgi Iantbelidze, wearing shirts adorned with the colors of the Russian flag at the European Championship in Dagestan.
"Jabo Tedeev asked us to take a photo wearing a shirt with his image on it, and we agreed amicably because he is a big fan of ours and we are friends. It was just a friendly gesture. Believe me, I didn’t pay attention to the color of the shirt. Like all Georgians, every member of our national team, including myself, was heartbroken over our homeland and the lost territories!" Geno Petriashvili, who won the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, explained at that time. He is also ranked in the top ten on the Georgian Dream list for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 26.
