Tengiz Rukhadze: "Personal relations and mutual respect are everything in sumo"

Next year Tbilisi will host the European Sumo Championship in U-21 and U-23 age categories. This decision was made at the Congress of the European Sumo Federations, during which Georgian capital received much more votes (17 to 1) than Budapest. Georgian public got acquainted with this exotic sport a few years ago thanks to the legendary Kokkai ("Black Sea" in Japanese), Levan Tsaguria. He became the first European who not only was recognized by many elite Japanese sumo clubs, but also achieved considerable success. Many Japanese people learned about the existence of far Caucasian country only after they became interested in origin of this man, who was able to compete against most celebrated sumoists. When Mikheil Saakashvili was still President of Georgia he awarded Kokkai with "the Order of Radiance and Shine" for his contribution to the popularization of Georgia. He also called sumoist "a personification of all the best and strong that exist in Georgian people."

Many other Georgian sumoists followed the path paved by Kokkai. Many of them became known in Japan, where sumo is not just a sport, but a part of the national identity. As a result of success of Georgian sumoists the country has earned the right to organize the first international tournament for amateurs. As president of the Georgian Sumo Federation Tengiz Rukhadze said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza, professional sumoists exist only in Japan. All others are considered to be amateurs.

- How long does the Georgian Sumo Federation exist?

- The Federation was founded in 1998. Since then, we won 150 medals at various international and European competitions. We have champions - Levan Ebanoidze, Amiran Tsikoridze. By the way, during recent tournament in Japan Tsikoridze defeated Japanese, who was already invited to become a professional. And our Tochinoshini (Levan Gorgodze) competes with the strongest Japanese sumoists in the top division. Just like Gagamaru - Gaga Dzhugeli.

This year alone we won 27 medals at international and European competitions. Four gold medals, the rest - silver and bronze. I'm glad that sumo becomes more popular in our country, and the Georgian Sumo Federation is respected in the international arena. That is why I was also elected as vice-president of the European Sumo Federation.

- Those are amateur tournaments. Are professional competitions only held in Japan?

- Of course! There is an international federation of amateur sumo wrestlers. The Federation of Continents, headed by Hidotochi Tanaka. Georgian sumo school is respected. We are among leaders of Europe, and Europeans dominate in most weight categories. 

- Why Georgia does not hold national tournaments?

- All issues are associated with finances. We mainly participate in heavyweight categories (prize-winners - Avtandil Tsertsvadze and Giorgi Meshvildishvili) and in "absolute weight". 

- What are the prospects of development of this sport in Georgia? Is sumo popular?

- The popularity among young people grows with each year. The geography is also expanding. We have sumoists from Gori, Ambrolauri, Kakheti and other regions. People come from other forms of wrestling. For example, famous judoka Adam Okruashvili came from judo. He is world and European champion. If Amiran Tsikoridze will get to Japan, I'm sure he will achieve even more than Kokkai.

- What prevents him from going to Japan? He is the leader among amateurs of his weight class? 

- First of all, he's just 17. Second of all, it is really hard to get into Japan's professional league and clubs. There are many private clubs, so complex and long negotiations are required. 

- Can sumo become Olympic sport?

- During the last congress of the IOC we lacked just two votes, so the rugby won. but I was glad, because I'm a former rugby player myself. 

But I'm sure that the time of sumo will come. Sumo is developing very fast in Georgia and our children will soon be performing at the most prestigious tournaments of Japan. We just need support of the government. We will do everything for Tbilisi tournament to be held at a very high level - we will invite legendary sumoists from Japan, including great Hakuho.He is a friend of our Amiran Tsikoridze. And personal relations and mutual respect are everything in sumo.