19/09/2020 21:00
Beach Volleyball has returned in Georgia, 2020 national champions crowned in Tbilisi!
News from the National Federations
Tbilisi, Georgia, September 19, 2020. Georgia is experiencing a slow return to normality, including the return of competitive sport after a long break resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown imposed by national authorities to curb the spread of the disease. Earlier this week, the Georgian Volleyball Federation organised their national Beach Volleyball championship – and it was a major success!
Traditionally, this tournament takes place at the Black Sea resort of Batumi and it represents an ideal warm-up for local teams due to compete in the annual stop of the EEVZA Beach Volleyball Tour held at the same venue. However, travel restrictions have resulted in the cancellation of the zonal event and the Georgian Volleyball Federation have had to adjust their plans.
As many as 10 women’s teams from different regions of Georgia came to the capital, Tbilisi, to contest the national championship, with last year’s silver medallists Ana Diasamidze and Ana Tevdoradze from Batumi emerging as the eventual winners of the competition this year. Izolda Tsintsadze and Dea Kheirabadi representing Tsageri were the silver medallists – a truly remarkable feat since they were competing together for the first time. The 2019 champions, Mariam Mukasashvili and Irina Tchelidze had to be content with bronze this time.
The long break and absence of any indoor sport imposed by the lockdown seem to have drawn more attention to Beach Volleyball than ever before, with as many as 16 teams signing up for the men’s national championship and delivering a great show for the fans in attendance. This was indeed the very first domestic competition organised since the Snow Volleyball European Tour held this past February in Bakuriani. Roman Gavasheli and Alexander Shibaev triumphed as the eventual national champions as they needed two sets only to beat Deni Kheirabadi and Peter Lobzhanidze in the final. Giorgi Gordadze and Alexander Kachibaia claimed the bronze medals.
The Georgian Volleyball Federation recognised this competition as one of the most successful over the past few years and crowning the 2020 Beach Volleyball national champions was a great pleasure and honour for the organisers. “I am looking forward to hosting European teams here in Georgia for our players to gain some valuable experience,” said the President of the Georgian Volleyball Federation, Irakli Chachua.
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