From chidaoba roots to world gold: Avtandil Tchrikishvili turns 35

Avtandil Tchrikishvili has been one of the defining athletes of Georgia’s strong era in middleweight judo. As he turns 35, his story stands out not just for medals, but for the path that shaped him: he started with chidaoba, Georgia’s traditional wrestling, and carried that toughness onto the international tatami.

His journey is proof that heritage can become a competitive weapon at the highest level.

Following the example of his uncle, Tchrikishvili moved into judo and quickly built a style based on powerful gripping and constant pressure. Coached mainly by Guram Modebadze, he became a feared U81kg fighter, known for mixing physicality with smart decision-making. He didn’t rely on one look; he found ways to win in different kinds of matches.

The moment that defines his career came at the 2014 World Championships, where he captured the world title and locked in his place among the division’s elite. And for European fans, that same period is impossible to ignore: he dominated the continental stage as a triple European champion and added the European Games title. Those results made him one of Europe’s most reliable medal hopes.

Tchrikishvili also delivered on the IJF World Tour, taking major wins at the Paris Grand Slam in 2014 and again in 2016. In 2016, Georgia honored him as its Olympic flag bearer in Rio de Janeiro, a role that matched his status at home.

After Rio, he kept pushing. In 2018, he showed real resilience by stepping up to U90kg and winning gold at the Grand Prix in Zagreb. He later earned bronze at the Grand Prix in Antalya and the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi, underlining that the move in weight didn’t end his competitiveness.

His era was packed with big names. The rivalry with France’s Loïc Pietri ended perfectly balanced at five wins each across ten matches, while contests with Travis Stevens often turned into tactical battles. Japan’s Takanori Nagase remained one of his toughest tests, highlighting just how deep that generation was.

Even at 35, his name still carries the weight of European titles and world-level credibility.

Add his contributions to Georgia’s European and world team honors, and the picture is clear: Tchrikishvili is a champion shaped by tradition and sharpened by top-level judo—right as major events return to Georgia soon.

Source: JudoInside