Tbilisi hosts European Judo Championship | Live on GPB First Channel #1TVSPORT

The European Judo Championships 2026 will begin today at the Tbilisi Olympic Palace. The competition will run from April 16 to 19. Preliminary matches will start at 9:00 a.m., while the final block is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The final rounds will be broadcast live on the First Channel of Georgian Public Broadcaster and the First Channel Sport.

Georgian national team head coach Lasha Gujejiani said the tournament is expected to be highly competitive, as it will bring together Europe’s top judo stars.

“I don’t recall a European Championship featuring so many titled judokas. European, world, and Olympic champions will compete in every weight category,” Gujejiani said.

The coach also spoke about the team’s preparation and the importance of home support.

Georgia will host the European Judo Championships for the second time since 2009. A total of 405 judokas from 46 countries will take part in the competition.

For the first time, the Georgian national team will compete with a full squad.

Among the men representing Georgia are: Giorgi Sardalashvili (-60 kg), Vazha Margvelashvili (-66 kg), Lasha Shavdatuashvili (-73 kg), Mikheil Bakhbakhishvili (-73 kg), Tato Grigalashvili (-81 kg), Lasha Bekauri (-90 kg), Luka Maisuradze (-90 kg), Ilia Sulamanidze (-100 kg), and Guram Tushishvili (+100 kg).

The women’s team includes: Tamar Gigolaev (-48 kg), Julieta Rodonaia (-48 kg), Nino Tatrishvili (-52 kg), Eter Liparteliani (-57 kg), Nino Loladze (-57 kg), Nino Tsiklauri (-63 kg), Nino Gulbani (-70 kg), Mariam Chanturia (-70 kg), and Sofio Somkishvili (+78 kg).

Georgia has produced 31 European champions in judo, eight of whom will compete at the 2026 Championships in Tbilisi: Lasha Bekauri, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Tato Grigalashvili, Guram Tushishvili, Vazha Margvelashvili, Giorgi Sardalashvili, Ilia Sulamanidze, and Luka Maisuradze.