The Republic of Georgia announces lineups for 2004 Titan Games, Built by Home Depot

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
06/10/2004


The Republic of Georgia has announced its lineups in both men's freestyle and Greco-Roman for the 2004 Titan Games, Built by Home Depot, in Atlanta, Ga., June 18-20.    The Republic of Georgia won the team titles in men's freestyle and Greco-Roman in last year's World Championships in New York City.    The men's freestyle team from the Republic of Georgia includes 1997 World Champion Georgi Kharebava at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Kharebava also won the European Championship in 1998, but has not competed in a major international event since placing sixth in the 2002 European Championships.    David Otiasvili, who placed sixth at the 2004 European Championships and fourth at the 2002 World Championships, is expected to compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    At 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Tamazi Gegeshidze , 10th at the 2004 European Championships, is listed on the Georgia roster.    Levani Chabradze, eighth at the 2004 European Championships, is expected to compete at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Malchaz Jordenadse, 10th at the 1998 Junior World Championships, is expected to compete at 84 kg/185 lbs.    Also listed on the men's freestyle roster are Mikhail Kharebava and Alex Kakniashvili. Their weights were not reported to USA Wrestling.    Coaching the men's freestyle team will be Alexander Edisherashvili.    Leading the Greco-Roman team for the Republic of Georgia will be two-time Olympian Tarieli Melelashvili (1996, 2000) at 74 kg/163 lbs.    Melelashvili placed eighth at the 2000 Olympic Games. He placed fourth in the 1999 World Championships and sixth in the 2004 European Championships.    At 120 kg/264.5 lbs., Revaz Chelidze is expected to compete. Chelidze won a silver medal at the 2003 Junior World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2002 Junior European Championships.    Lasha Lomadze, who has placed sixth at the last two European Championships, is listed on the roster at 60 kg/132 lbs. Lomadze also placed seventh at the 2003 Junior World Championships.    Also listed on the Greco-Roman roster for the Republic of Georgia are Petre Metreveli, Tedo Kupatadze, Ucha Mjavanadze and Giorgi Sakhvadze. Their weights were not reported to USA Wrestling.    Coaching the Greco-Roman team will be Temur Kakaiashvili.    Wrestling will again be one of the featured sports at the Titan Games, along with boxing, fencing, weightlifting, judo, taekwondo and shot put. Philips Arena is serving as the competition venue and Centennial Olympic Park is serving as the backdrop for the shot put.    Wrestling will be contested on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20.    The Titan Games will feature a USA versus the World format in dual and triangular meets. In men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman, the teams competing against the United States will be the Republic of Georgia and Iran. In women's freestyle, the opponent will be Canada.    In men's freestyle, this field will feature the No. 1 and No. 2 teams from the 2003 World Championships along with Spain. The Republic of Georgia won the World team title, followed by runner-up United States. It was one of the closest team races in history.    In men's Greco-Roman, the Republic of Georgia was the 2003 World Champion and Spain will also compete.    In women's freestyle, the U.S. team was second in the 2003 World Championships and Canada sixth at the 2003 World meet. Both teams have qualified all four women's weight classes for the Olympic Games. Canadian women participated in the 2003 Titan Games.    Individual session tickets are available through Ticketmaster.    There are two packages available for purchase for wrestling fans. Package A features a $120 all-session floor pass, with only 100 available. This includes VIP Hospitality, matside seating and a chance to meet and great wrestling legends.    Package B features a $60 All-Session Lower Level Seating ticket, which will be placed in the arena where the wrestling mat is located. Only 707 of these prime seats exist.    These exclusive packages are available only through USA Wrestling thru June 1. Individual session tickets are available through Ticketmaster.    Final rosters of all competing nations will be posted on TheMat.com as they become available.