Georgia celebrates two European judo titles in Tbilisi

Eteri Liparteliani won her first senior European title at 57kg on the second competition day in Tbilisi. Trailing Timna Nelson Levy by a yuko, the Georgian produced an ippon in the final 20 seconds to reverse the match and take gold.

Lasha Shavdatuashvili added another home victory at 73kg. His final against Hidayat Heydarov lasted more than nine minutes before a third penalty decided the contest. The title came 13 years after Shavdatuashvili’s first European championship success.

Joanne van Lieshout won the 63kg final against Manon Deketer by a hold lasting less than a minute into the contest. Three of her four victories came through pins. France still led the overall standings after the day, despite Georgia’s two titles.