Lasha Talakhadze has been named the Athlete of the Year by the Sports Journalists Association!

The Georgian Sports Journalists Association has summarized the year 2019. Sports journalists named Olympic, World and European champion, weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze as the best athlete of the year. Talakhadze became the first athlete to be selected by the association for the fourth consecutive time. Reigning world champion wrestler Geno Petriashvili took second place in the survey, while the third place went to judoka Lukhum Chkhvimiani, champion of the world, Europe and the European Games.

The best athlete of the year was awarded by Mikheil Abaishvili, President of the Sports Journalists Association. The event was attended by Shalva Gogoladze, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, as well as representatives of the Ministry, the National Olympic Committee, sports federations and the sports media.

The Sports Journalists Association survey has been conducted since 1964. This year, the best performers were identified in various categories. Judoka Eter Liparteliani was named the journalists' choice for female athlete of the year. The national weightlifting team was named the best team. Goga Bitadze, basketball player of the Georgian national team and the NBA team "Indiana Pacers", was chosen as the young athlete of the year. Giorgi Asanidze, head coach of the weightlifting team and Olympic champion, became the best coach of the year. Traditionally, the association also awarded sports journalists.