Levan Tediashvili is a famous Soviet freestyle wrestler and sambo wrestler. In his career, he won the most prestigious tournaments. This fighter throughout the sports career showed consistently high results.
First steps in sports
Levan Tediashvili was born on March 15, 1948 in the village of Zemoubani (Georgian SSR). Many talented wrestlers were born in this area. This sport there is the most popular among the young population. It is not surprising that Levan began to get involved in martial arts from childhood. At the beginning of his sports career, he mastered the Georgian national wrestling. This variety is full of all kinds of throws and grabs. Fights take place in a very high rhythm. During the battle, the melody "Sachidao" is played. It is performed on national instruments. Numerous spectators stand in a circle, thereby charging the athletes. The defeated fighters leave, and one of those who want them replaces them.
During the holidays in Georgia , wrestling competitions were constantly organized. Levan Tediashvili took all the best from Georgian martial arts. He came to the wrestling section at the age of 12 years. His first coach was the most experienced Ivan Mekokishvili. This famous master liked Levan, who tried very hard in training. In addition to classes in the section, the boy was also fond of football and loved to ride a bike with his peers. In his first battle, Tediashvili defeated a more trained and experienced fighter.
The beginning of a professional career
After graduating from school, Levan Tediashvili moved to Tbilisi. There he began to work at a furniture factory and at the same time train with the famous Vakhtang Balavadze. This coach was a titled fighter in the past. He came to big sport from the Georgian struggle. Vakhtang won the USSR championship in freestyle wrestling and sambo many times, and also became the world champion. Of course, Levan Tediashvili learned a lot from such an experienced coach. Success came to the fighter in 1971. In the USSR championship, he defeated Yuri Shakhmuradov in the final, who already had the title of world champion.
World Cup in Bulgaria and performances at the Olympics
After success in the national championship, he was included in the national team for participation in the World Cup, which was held in Bulgaria. Athletes from 34 countries were announced in this tournament. Such an amount was a record for that time. Bulgaria is very fond of wrestling. Locals are well versed in it. That is why this sport was given special attention there. The Soviet athlete at the World Cup competed in the weight category up to 82 kilograms. Levan Tediashvili, an Ossetian by nationality, confidently won and became the world champion for the first time in his career. Among the defeated were not only the owners of the championship, but also the Americans, Japanese, Yugoslavs.
USSR team captain Alexander Medved was one of the first to congratulate Tediashvili. All experts claimed that the young athlete has a great future. The following year, fighters from the USSR were preparing for the Olympic Games in Munich. The coaching staff had to choose for a long time who should represent the country in freestyle wrestling among athletes up to 82 kilograms. Among 3 candidates for the Olympic Games, Levan Tediashvili went. The coaching staff did not lose the choice. This fighter from Georgia won all the fights. Even in his last fight, Levan won a landslide victory, although there was a draw for gold.
World Cup in Tehran
Levan Kitoevich came to his next World Championship Tediashvili in the status of a leader. The athlete began to perform in the weight category up to 90 kilograms, which greatly complicated his task. But despite this, the athlete won the gold. After the victory, the champion left the stadium with a smile on his face. Then Levan did not assume that for him the performances at the championship were still unfinished.
One of the sambo wrestlers of the same weight category as Tediashvili dropped out due to an injury. The coaching staff asked Levan to replace him. Wrestling is not a major sport for Levan. But despite little experience in sambo performances, the Georgian wrestler continued to perform at the World Championships. Wrestling has undergone changes in the rules for a long time. Levan, not even knowing them perfectly, won the second gold medal for his country.
Career continuation
After two gold medals in Tehran, Levan Tediashvili won at the European Championships in Madrid and the World Championships in Istanbul. At home, he deservedly enjoyed great respect among the fans. This wrestler was an important guest at various city festivals. Levan has long won victories both in national tournaments and in international arenas. In 1978, this legendary wrestler began his performance in the new weight category up to 100 kilograms. He won the European Championship, and took the 2nd place at the world championship, unfortunately losing in the final. After long and happy years, the athlete decided to end his career. Levan Tediashvili is one of the most titled fighters in the USSR.
Levan is a professional wrestler, known throughout the world. He has come a long way from a beginner to a famous athlete, who is so loved in his homeland. After completing his career, Levan coached adolescents, as well as engaged in the development of sports in Georgia.