Caucasus as a global hub for wrestling training

TBILISI —Wrestling camps organizes world-class wrestling training courses in Tbilisi, attracting athletes from all over the world. From experienced professionals to young aspiring wrestlers, participants travel to the heart of the Caucasus to immerse themselves in Georgia’s renowned wrestling culture. Led by top Georgian coaches and often featuring appearances by world champions, these courses offer a unique blend of intense training, cultural exchange, and personal growth in making Georgia not just a wrestling powerhouse, but a global center for the sport’s development.

In the world of wrestling, few countries command as much respect as Georgia. With a long-standing tradition of producing elite-level wrestlers, Georgia has rightfully earned its place among the top five wrestling nations globally. The country’s athletes are renowned for their strength, explosiveness, and strong spirit-qualities that consistently earn them medals at the Olympics and World Championships.

I had the opportunity to speak with Giorgi Kizivadze, a twenty-three-year-old wrestler and the organizer behind the Tbilisi freestyle wrestling courses. Giorgi shared that he first came up with the idea in 2023, aiming to open Georgia’s rich wrestling tradition to international athletes. “I found a space where people could train, then I shared the information online and on Instagram to spark interest around the world,”- he explained.
Since launching the program, Giorgi has seen participants from across the globe, particularly from the UK, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. “Anyone aged 18 and over can request access to the course,”- he said.

But the program offers much more than just wrestling. In addition to intensive grappling and technique sessions, participants enjoy cultural tours around Georgia and the chance to explore traditional Georgian cuisine. “We want people not only to train but to experience Georgia—the people, the culture, and the food,” - Giorgi added.

Like many grassroots initiatives, the beginning came with challenges. “At first, some people thought it might be a scam since it was advertised online. I had to personally reassure them it was real,”he recalled. “But once we built a reputation and gained trust, that was no longer an issue.”
One of the key figures involved in the program is Gia Kotoshidze, who served as the head coach of Georgia’s national freestyle wrestling team for over a decade. His presence brings a high level of expertise and credibility to the training sessions.

The courses are currently held twice a month, and Giorgi is already looking ahead. “In the future, I want to introduce online training programs as well and organize the camp somewhere in europe to make Georgian wrestling more accessible to those who can’t travel,”-he said.
Among the diverse group of athletes was Valerio Rahim, a thirty-nine-year-old professional coach from Rome, Italy. With over 15 years of experience in functional training, postural rehabilitation, and physical preparation, Valerio has built a solid reputation in the fitness world. He holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology and another in Recovery, Reconditioning, and Injury Prevention, and is also a certified trainer in the Spartan System. In Rome, he leads group classes and personalized programs tailored for both professional athletes and enthusiasts.

Valerio discovered the Georgian wrestling courses online and reached out via Instagram. After receiving a quick and welcoming response, he decided to travel to Tbilisi to join the summer program.
Speaking personally about his experience, Valerio shared that he was amazed by the diversity at the camp: "I saw people of all ages and nationalities training together. It was a very inclusive and motivating environment."One of the things that stood out most to him was the openness of the Georgian training style.
"In Italy, we focus a lot on technique and structured movements,” Valerio said. “But in Georgia, the training was more focused on practical sparring and real-world scenarios. The wrestlers had more freedom in expressing themselves through their movements. It was raw, real, and very effective.”
He also noted something particularly surprising during his time in Tbilisi: "I saw nine-year-olds sparring with older and more experienced wrestlers. That’s something you just don’t see in Italy. It really showed how early Georgians are exposed to high-level competition.”
Valerio’s experience was made even more memorable by the presence of Georgian World Champion Irakli Mtsituri, who earned a bronze medal at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships held in Kazakhstan. Mtsituri’s appearance as a guest and participant in the training sessions brought added inspiration to the camp.

Valerio expressed deep gratitude to the coaches who led the training Gia Kotoshidze and Giorgi Kizivadze praising their knowledge, discipline, and supportive approach. “I was very satisfied with the training,”he said. “It was constructive, intense, and it helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person.”
Beyond the mat, Valerio said he fell in love with Georgia itself. “I felt like I was at home,”he shared. “The food was amazing, the atmosphere was warm, and the people were incredibly welcoming. I didn’t just come here to train—I left with a whole new perspective.”
Georgia’s summer wrestling courses reflect a broader movement toward international cooperation and cultural exchange through sport. As one of the world’s top wrestling nations, Georgia is not only maintaining its dominance on the mat but also shaping the future of the sport by opening its doors to athletes from every corner of the world.