In 2025, Eteri Liparteliani made history for Georgia when she became its first female World Champion. In a country where this sport is dominated by male athletes, this was a huge breakthrough for women’s judo.
This year she became European Champion and established herself firmly as the player to beat in the -57kg division.
“Last year, I won the World Championships. It was truly an unbelievable year,” Liparteliani told the EJU at a training camp in Slovakia. “This year, I competed at the European Championships with even greater motivation and became European champion. I think I have now brought the two titles together.”
Now, she is looking to become a double World Champion. “Psychologically, I do not feel any pressure at all,” Liparteliani told the EJU. “On the contrary, I am happy and motivated by the fact that I am both European and World Champion. I will be even more motivated at these World Championships, and I will defend my title.”
She certainly looks ready. In the recent Lausanne Grand Slam, Liparteliani won the gold medal by throwing her arch-rival Sarah Leonie Cysique of France in he final with a massive hip throw that showed exactly how ready she is.
