According to the version of GNOC, Lasha Talakhadze became the best athlete of 2019
On December 26, the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel hosted the awarding ceremony for the winners in the categories defined by the Georgian National Olympic Committee (GNOC) based on the best sports results of 2019. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Shalva Gogoladze and Head of the Sports Development Department Irakli Dolaberidze.
At the beginning of the event, GNOC President Leri Khabelov welcomed the attendees.
The licensees for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Nino Salukvadze (Shooting), Giorgi Melia (Greco-Roman Wrestling), Iakob Kajaia (Greco-Roman Wrestling), Geno Petriashvili (Freestyle Wrestling), and Elizbar Odikadze (Freestyle Wrestling) – were awarded the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification certificates.
The champions and prize-winners of the 1st World Beach Games – Levan Kelekhsashvili, David Khutsishvili, David Marsagishvili, and Mamuka Kordzaia – received their respective certificates.
Greco-Roman wrestler Iakob Kajaia was handed the gold medal of the 2nd European Games by GNOC President Leri Khabelov.
A special award for the best result shown at the 2nd European Games was presented to the Georgian national sambo team.
The bronze medal of the European Youth Olympic Festival was awarded to Otar Mamulashvili (Freestyle Wrestling).
For her contribution to the popularization of sports, Maka Giorgobiani, President of the Georgian Figure Skating Federation and member of the GNOC Executive Committee, was honored with a special award from the European Olympic Committees. At the request of the leadership of the European Olympic Committees, the award was presented to Giorgobiani by GNOC Vice President Mamuka Khabareli.
Finally, the award ceremony for the winner of the main category – the Best Athlete of Georgia for 2019 – took place. By decision of the GNOC Executive Committee, the winner was determined through a vote in which session delegates participated.
The nominees for the 2019 Best Athlete of Georgia category were: World Champions in Olympic weight categories – Lasha Talakhadze, Geno Petriashvili, and Lukhum Chkhvimiani.
Lasha Talakhadze received the majority of votes in the ballot, becoming the GNOC's choice for the fourth consecutive time. The Best Athlete of Georgia for 2019, Lasha Talakhadze, was presented with a specially crafted prize for this category – the "Olympic Flame" – by GNOC President Leri Khabelov. Archil Gachechiladze, General Director of the GNOC's general sponsor, Bank of Georgia, awarded Lasha Talakhadze with a monetary prize. The nominees for the best athlete of 2019, Geno Petriashvili and Lukhum Chkhvimiani, also received monetary gifts from the GNOC partner company "Teliani Valley".
At the awarding ceremony, Irma Khetsuriani was named the Best Parasportsperson of 2019.
Winners in various categories:
1. Discovery of the Year 2019 – Olympic Hope (Girl) – Eter Liparteliani.
2. Discovery of the Year 2019 – Olympic Hope (Boy) – Luka Maisuradze.
3. Best Young Athlete of 2019 (Under 23) in Team Sports – Goga Bitadze.
4. Best Athletes of 2019 in Winter Sports – Maria Kazakova and Giorgi Revia.
5. Best Coach of 2019 – Giorgi Iantbelidze.
6. Best Female-Sport Coach of 2019 – Giorgi Tenadze.
7. Regional Organization of 2019 – Kvemo Kartli Regional Organization (Head Tamaz Gvelukashvili).
8. Best Female Athlete of 2019 – Nino Salukvadze.
9. Best Sports Manager of 2019 – Kakhi Kakhiashvili, President of the Georgian Weightlifting Federation.
10. Best Sports Federation of 2019 – National Wrestling Federation of Georgia.
11. Media Supporter of the Olympic Movement – First Channel of Georgia.
12. Supporters of Olympic Sports – "Bank of Georgia", "Aversi", "Teliani Valley".
