Luka Khvedeliani won gold for Georgia in the senior male -67kg kumite category at the Sofia Open Karate Tournament in April. He is one of many Georgian sportspeople who have won for their home country of late. GEORGIA TODAY sat down with him to find out what inspires him and his hopes for Georgian karate looking ahead.
“I started training in karate when I was 7 years old,” Khvedeliani tells us. “To tell the truth, it was not my initiative, it was my father’s decision, because he was a karateka himself. But he made the right choice, and today karate is the biggest part of my life, and, despite all the difficulties, it is still my sport and it always will be.
What challenges have you faced on the way?
There were a lot of difficulties and challenges: Financial, injuries. There are a thousand factors and obstacles when you take up a sport professionally, but I have been strong and learned from childhood, maybe it was in my character, that I always had to fight for my goals, and that no obstacle could stop me. Plus, with the help of friends and relatives, I don’t think anything is insurmountable. I am grateful to the Lord for everything I have.
Tell us about your recent win in Sofia. How did you do it and what does it mean to you personally, and to Georgian karate overall?
The competition held in Bulgaria was a very prestigious and principled tournament, and I’m very happy that I managed to win, and to do so in quite difficult battles. If not for my relatives and sponsors, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in this competition, so thanks to them! I am at my best when I’m standing on the podium with my country’s flag above me!
What challenges has Georgian karate faced over the years?
I will hold back from answering this question, if you don’t mind. I will just say that I wish karate fair and dignified progress in Georgia.
Tell us about young Georgians’ motivation to study karate, and the achievements of the country’s young karatekas so far.
Studying karate is a wise choice for young people, because karate forms a child as a person; karate raises disciplined and healthy young people both physically and mentally. At the same time, they learn good self-defense.
We have many champions among us. Just in my club Kalasi, there are many champions training, winners of international tournaments, European and world champions in style karate. Of course, this alone is great motivation for a child to start training in karate. Such athletes are examples of a healthy lifestyle.
What development is still needed in Georgian karate? What are your hopes for the future?
In the future, I would like to see more successes and even better results in Georgian karate. I advise young people who have taken up karate to train hard, so as to become stronger physically and spiritually. This will create a healthy future generation, which is something Georgia very much needs!
Interview by Katie Ruth Davies
