Georgia obtains first silver medal at Rio Olympics
By Mariam Chanishvili
Friday, August 12
Georgian judoka Varlam Liparteliani won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on August 10. Liparteliani defeated Gwak-Dong Han from South Korea in the semi-final, but in the final round was defeated by Japan’s Mashu Baker.
Even though a silver medal is a great achievement, the athlete is not completely happy with the result.
“I really wanted to become an Olympic champion. It was a goal for which I did everything. I worked very hard and obtained a medal, but this is not what I fought for,” stated Liparteliani.
Before the Rio Olympics, Liparteliani, 27, has won three gold medals in European championships, in the men’s 90 kg category in 2012, 2014, 2016 and silver in 2009, 2013 and 2015 and bronze in 2011.
This is the second medal Georgia has obtained; Lasha Shavdatuashvili won the bronze medal at the men's 73-kg judo.
This year, Georgia sent 40 athletes to the Rio Games, the largest ever Olympic team in the country’s history.
