Tbilisi braces for a heavyweight showdown — and Europe has a major seed to watch

Tbilisi is set for three intense days of high-level judo, and one storyline might explode before any medals are even decided. In the heavyweight division, Georgian fans could get a fierce domestic collision between Saba Inaneishvili and Gela Zaalishvili, two powerful names chasing the right to be seen as the next leading force at home. Irakli Demetrashvili adds another layer of danger in a class where pride can feel as heavy as the athletes.

In Tbilisi, the heavyweight bracket could turn into a national trial by fire.

But the road is anything but clear, because the division is topped by Dutch top seed Jur Spijkers. He arrives with a reputation for consistency and stands as a very real European obstacle to Georgian dreams. With 25 heavyweights entered, the category blends proven medal-level experience and ambitious challengers, which is exactly how brackets get unpredictable fast.

The Grand Slam itself carries a big international footprint, with 51 nations represented. Georgia brings the largest delegation by far with 42 athletes, while European squads like France and Germany are also strongly present. The Netherlands joins that group with a solid team, helping keep the overall level high across the weekend.

Even with the home crowd behind them, Georgia will do it without several headline champions. Lasha Bekauri is not competing, nor are Tato Grigalashvili and Ilia Sulamanidze, and Lasha Shavdatuashvili is also missing. In the women’s divisions, Eteri Liparteliani is absent as well.

That shifts attention to other Georgian hopes, including former world champion Luka Maisuradze in U90kg and Temur Nozadze in U66kg. Among the top-ranked international contenders, Europe also has a clear name to follow: Croatia’s Lara Cvjetko is listed among the main challengers in women’s U70kg.

And don’t overlook men’s U73kg, the tournament’s biggest field with 42 competitors. In a division where depth often creates chaos, one turning point can rewrite the whole weekend.

A loud arena and crowded brackets are a perfect recipe for upsets.

Source: JudoInside