Every day, I choose to be an athlete and a Judoka.
It’s my passion.
I feel I represent Spain and Georgia.
It’s my life.
To be the best in the world,
you have to know yourself and your rivals.
One second of deconcentration
can cost you the competition.
The hardest thing to achieve
is mental balance.
So, the fight continues
with yourself
to improve.
My father became champion of Georgia,
but at around 18 years old
he had to leave judo because of the war.
So it was like a dream he couldn’t live out
and I wanted to reflect it
on me.
I started practicing judo at 10 years old.
I was born in Georgia.
But when I was 12 or 13, I moved to Spain.
Here in Brunete
everyone who joins this club is part of the family.
A phrase that comes from judo if you
fall seven times you get eight.
And this is what sport teaches you,
no matter how good, no matter how hard you are
It’s there too,
to give you lessons.
And it also transmits values
for your life.
Perseverance
and the ability to see my mistakes.
Be honest with myself
and always try to improve.
My father was showing me my fights
so I could learn from my mistakes.
As I like it more
I was setting myself bigger goals.
It’s simple.
To be an Olympic champion
is our dream.
So let’s go for it.
Welcome to Madrid.
Madrid and in Spain in general,
it’s the best place I know,
because of the atmosphere, the people, the culture
Now now. We’ve already started to do
a little bit of moving faster and
OK, but keep it dynamic.
Come on, let’s go.
Stay focused now.
It’s not good.
Let’s go there.
Quino, he is like my second father.
But, at time he is my coach.
which is the way it has to be on the mat.
You’re going to break it here
and change.
Judo is elegant
and, in my opinion
one of the most complete sports.
Because you have to have
physical, mental, and technical abilities.
Strangulation or a dislocation.
All right, all right.
Finish, finish.
The most beautiful part is when you throw him against the mat.
Well, I just love training with Nico.
I love it because it motivates me so much.
It’s like taking a ride in Formula One,
who doesn’t like that?
Cool.
Perfect.
Professional Sport
It demands performance.
in every competition.
And at the end of last year,
I tore my ACL.
I had to stop for about six, eight months.
And I’m going to twist it in
Let me know if that is painful
No.
I still have work to do.
I’m not at my 100%,
but I will be at the Olympics
which is the important thing.
The lowest point I would say
was the Tokyo Olympics,
because we were coming in at number one in the world.
Could have been the pressure?
Everybody saying “You’re going to be the Olympic Champion.”
It was a disaster.
I was feeling like giving up judo.
But we learn from mistakes.
I’m much more mature and prepared
for the Olympic Games in Paris.
Well, Nico came here when he was about 13.
As I got to know him,
I realized that he was very talented.
I already knew that this boy,
because of his desire,
because of his predisposition,
that he was going to be very good.
Keep going!
We have to be on top for the Olympics.
So you have to suffer now and then
enjoy it. Come on, let’s go.
Nico is the first Spaniard
to win gold
in a world championship
in the men’s category.
Very good, Nicky.
I like it that way
From here it all started,
here are the two world championships.
but this one has been the most sentimental for me,
since it was the year before my father died.
So it gave it more important meaning
than just sporting.
My Starting Line is being with my friends and family.
That’s what makes me enjoy this.
This idea
that we often have of a world champion athlete
who is very square, very hermetic.
He is, but that box is very large
where other things fit into his routines.
Dancing.
Learning new things, playing billiards, which he really likes.
Another game, let’s go.
Yes.
And how is the knee feeling?
Are you ready to run up the mountain?
I’m ready to climb whatever.
The good thing is that I’ll beat you.
- Running? - Running.
I’m a tractor.
Sometimes it’s good to disconnect, right?
not to always be there on the mat.
Every thing that is nature.
I love.
That’s why we live where we live.
Well, for me, sport
has always been my
escape valve.
For me there are a lot of people who compete
but as soon as they stop competing
They stop training.
I don’t understand it.
Judo.
for me is the greatest discovery
of my life.
Team.
I want to thank you for being with me at this dinner
and always accompanying me by my side.
Opa!
These are apples.
Wow.
Did you like this?
It’s really good.
In reality, we train a lot,
it’s our passion,
but if you don’t have that small part or little time
to enjoy time with your people, with your family,
to disconnect from the sport,
it’s very difficult to continue, to last so many years.
No, like this.
My heart fills with pride every time I see him on the pedestal with the medal.
He means a lot to me and above all else, he is my little brother.
Dude. Give him this, they are so good.
Yes, really when I compete
the first thing is, it’s always for you,
for your family.
And then your country.
We are going to throw a toast to all of you
because I love you very much.
Niko is a reference for everyone.
Niko opened the way.
He made people understand that if he can, so can others.
To extend my career,
We decided to compete
in 100kg weight class.
The preparation is different...
Less running, fewer circuits
and more weights.
Come on, let’s go, let’s go.
It’s different weight,
the competitors are burlier,
but I think he will do very well.
My Starting Line is the confidence of knowing who I am
and who I’m competing for.
Our main objective and dream
is to be champion at the Paris Olympic Games.