Giorgi Mamardashvili, goalkeeper of the Georgian national football team, has been named the Best Male Athlete of 2024, according to a survey conducted by the Georgian Sports Journalists Association.

The award was presented by the Association’s President, Giga Gventsadze, and Vice-President, Bidzina Baratashvili, following Mamardashvili’s final home match of the season at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. The visit was organized with support from the Ministry of Sports.

In the survey, which included 75 sports journalists, Mamardashvili received 107 points. Olympic judo champion Lasha Bekauri came second with 88 points, while six-time winner and Olympic weightlifting champion Lasha Talakhadze placed third with 69 points.

Since the poll’s inception in 1964, only four other footballers have earned the top honour: Slava Metreveli (1964), Murtaz Khurtsilava (1967), Ramaz Shengelia (1981), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (2023).

“I want to thank the sports journalists for this award. It’s a great honour, especially in an Olympic year. I deeply appreciate this recognition,” Giorgi Mamardashvili said.

“Last year was extraordinarily successful for Georgian sports. In such a competitive Olympic year, Giorgi’s victory is especially meaningful. He is a great hope for Georgian football, and I wish him continued success,” Giga Gventsadze stated.