The title of the best athlete of 2019 was awarded to all six world champions

Organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Summary of 2019 Sporting Event s- Athlete of the Year was held at the State Ceremonies Palace. At the annual awards ceremony, the winners were nominated for 11 nominations, and awarded with 10 special prizes.

The title of the best athlete of 2019 was awarded to six world champions: Lukhum Chkhvimiani (Judo), Lasha Talakhadze (Weightlifting), Geno Petriashvili (Freestyle Wrestling), Lasha Gobadze (Greco-Roman Wrestling), Beka Lomtadze (Freestyle Wrestling), and Nugzar Tsurtsumia (Greco Roman wrestling). President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili personally awarded the athletes. The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia - Mikheil Chkhenkeli awarded Georgian Water Polo Team as the best team of the year, whilst bestoweing the title of the best veteran sportsman of the year to the legendary - Nona Gaprindashvili.

2019 was a special year in Georgian sport. Georgian athletes have won more than 1,200 medals at Olympic and non-Olympic sports, world and European championships as well as on various international tournaments. For the first time in its history, Georgia has 6 world champions in a year.

There were numerous guests at the Palace and the ceremony was broadcasted live on the Georgian Public Broadcasting Channel 1.

The Ministry would like to thank the GPB for supporting the event and the entiry of Georgian sport.

Nominee winners:

1. The Best Team in 2019 for collective games - Georgian Water Polo Team

2. The Best Young Sportsman of 2019 - Lasha Bekauri (Judo)

3. The Best Athlete of the Non-Olympic sport of 2019 - Vakhtang Chidrashvili (Sambo)

4. The Best Referee of 2019 - Rusudan Khoperia (jumping on the bat)

5. Best Federation of 2019 - Wrestling Federation

6. Best Female Athlete of 2019 - Eter Liparteliani (Judo)

7. Best Manager of 2019 - Kakhi Kakhiashvili (President of Weightlifting Federation)

8. Best Coach of 2019 - Giorgi Kantbelidze (Head Coach of the Freestyle Wrestling Team)

9. The best parasportsman in 2019 - Revaz Chikoidze

10. The best parasportswoman of 2019 - Irma Khetsurian

11. Best Sportsman of 2019 - Lukhum Chkhvimiani (Judo), Lasha Talakhadze (Weightlifting), Geno Petriashvili (Freestyle Wrestling), Lasha Gobadze (Greco-Roman Wrestling), Beka Lomtadze (Freestyle Wrestling), Nugzar Tsurtsumia (Greek Wrestling)

 Special Prize Winners:

1. The Discovery of 2019 - Ana Lapiashvili and Maya Bochoridze; Maria Kazakova and George Revia - Figure skating couple

2. The most generous philanthropy in sports - Archi Group

3. The Best Team in 2019 in Individual sports- Greco-Roman Wrestling National Team of Georgia

4. For hosting the important sporting event in Georgia - National Basketball Federation of Georgia; Georgian Ski Federation

5. The most significant investment in sports - Kachreti Ambassadors; Tbilisi Hills

6. Century Event in the History of Georgian Olympics - Nino Salukvadze

7. Best Veteran Athlete of 2019 - Nona Gaprindashvili

8. Best sports Volunteer of 2019 - Tatia Darsavelidze

9. The best Expat sportsman of 2019 - George Shermadini

10. The best region for sport of 2019 - Autonomous Republic of Adjara