Chidaoba (wrestling) is an ancient form of martial art practised by a large proportion of the male population throughout all the regions, villages and communities of Georgia. Bearers of the tradition include young people, city residents, sports clubs, educational institutions and amateur organizations. Having had a combat function until the late Middle Ages, Chidaoba gradually became a spectacular sport and is trained all over Georgia.
In the school 108 in the northern Varketili district of Tbilisi the national Georgian wrestling federation rented a room to train young wrestlers. Wrestling is the most popular national sport in Georgia and the Caucasus. In school 108 Micha trains around 50 boys from 5 to 12 years two times a week. Some of his pupils already have international success and win in world youth championships.
Different to school 108 is school 107 in the Lilo district. Just a few years ago the newly build sport center Lilo has opened. In the white hall Micha Bagaori (39) teaches the advanced young wrestler. Some of them are already Georgian champions and are members of the national olympic team.
Wrestling is the only sport in Georgia with a broad government support. One of the olympic training centers is located in the small town of Dusheti. Here national trainer Beldukhi Gavasholishail is responsible for around 40 wrestlers. His coaching staff consists of two more trainers and a doctor. They train the young sports men 3 times a day for one week. This time they are preparing their team for the European youth championship. At the last Olympic summer games in 2016, the martial artists won five of the seven Georgian medals. The IOC had spoken in February 2013 for the cancellation of the millennium-old sport from the Olympic program. For the small Caucasus nations this decision would have meant the fall into Olympic insignificance.
Through international lobbying the wrestler foundations have won the last place for the Olympic Games 2020 and 2024. Therefore the young wrestlers still hope to win the highest honor one day — an olympic gold medal.
