Well there were huge surprises in the -90kg weight category on day five of the World Championships 2025. With many betting on the double Olympic Champion, Lasha BEKAURI (GEO) to rise to the occasion and take gold, but he took an early exit, defeated by Kenny Komi BEDEL (ITA).
Instead, in the final block the Georgian flags were raised high for Luka MAISURADZE, a former World Champion and then a three-time world medallist. As fate would have it, he faced the Italian who played one Georgian champion already, but he wasn’t lucky enough to be able to do it twice.
I felt strong in the bronze medal fight it was very good. This moment is very important for me because I had one year break and now I am back… Luka is back and very dangerous now.
There were five World Champions in the -90kg category, and Maisuradze also had to go head to head with the 2025 European Champion, Christian PARLATI (ITA). Georgia are now able to celebrate another medal after the silver medal success of Tato GRIGALASHVILI in the -81kg category.
I was happy with my judo today. It’s a strong category. I had good style, many techniques and everything good today. I feel very very very very good I will have a good sleep and many drinks!
It was a wonderful return for Maisuradze, who dedicates everything to the sport.
Today and always, I love judo. Because judo for me it’s everything: friends, wife, everything.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen