2018-05-08
Today, the Prime Minister of Georgia awarded the best weightlifters of 2017.
The awards established by the Weightlifting Federation and the Ministry of Culture and Sport for an exceptional contribution to this athletic branch were given by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, together with Minister of Culture and Sport Mikheil Giorgadze, to Olympic, World, and European Champion and World Record Breaker Lasha Talakhadze and to Olympic, World, and European Champion, Spanish Lidia Valentin.
The Prime Minister congratulated the world's best weightlifters on this recognition and thanked the International Weightlifting Federation for holding the award ceremony in Tbilisi.
"The recognition of our celebrated Georgian athlete as Lifter of the Year 2017 is the greatest joy for all of us. I would like to congratulate Olympic, World, and European Champion and holder of numerous world records Lasha Talakhadze with this extremely honorable title. I also congratulate with all my heart Ms. Lidia Valentina who has been honored with this title for the second time in a row. I also congratulate our friends, the Spanish people, and the President of the Weightlifting Federation of Spain," - the Prime Minister stated.
According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Lasha Talakhadze garnered record-breaking 9,804 votes in the survey by the International Weightlifting Federation, which is something that makes everyone proud.
The Prime Minister congratulated on this achievement the President of the Weightlifting Federation of Georgia, "Similarly, legendary Georgian Kakhi Kakhiashvili, Lasha Talakhadze's head coach, acclaimed and honorable athlete Giorgi Asanidze, and all of Georgia."
The Head of Government also congratulated Lasha Talakhadze on the occasion of his marriage and wished his newly created family to raise many more decorated athletes for Georgia.
In his speech during the award ceremony, the Prime Minister also addressed and thanked the celebrated athletes who gladdened the country's heart with much joy.
"I would like to bow my head to the merit of each of you as a sign of respect and gratitude. You are the face of our country, our pride, an inspiration for generations to come, and you will remain such in the future," the Prime Minister addressed the athletes attending the ceremony.
President of the International Weightlifting Federation Tamás Aján honored Lasha Talakhadze and Lidia Valentin with the awards celebrating them as the best lifters in the world.
The ceremony at Rustaveli Theater was attended by Secretary General of the European Weightlifting Federation Hasan Akkus, members of Georgia's Government and Parliament, Olympic champions, and representatives of the athletic community.