Vakhtang Balavadze facts for kids
Balavadze at the 1959 World Championships
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 20 November 1927 Ganiri, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Samtredia, Georgia) |
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| Died | 25 July 2018 (aged 90) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Freestyle wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Burevestnik Tbilisi | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Vakhtang Balavadze (Georgian pronunciation: [vɑχtʼɑnɡ bɑlɑvɑdzɛ]; born November 20, 1927 – died July 25, 2018) was a famous Georgian athlete. He was a top freestyle wrestler in the welterweight category. This means he competed in a specific weight class.
Balavadze was known for his amazing skills on the wrestling mat. He won many important medals during his career. After he stopped competing, he continued to be involved in wrestling. He helped other wrestlers as a coach and made sure games were fair as a referee.
A Champion Wrestler
Vakhtang Balavadze competed in two Olympic Games. These are huge international sports events. He participated in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. In 1956, he won a bronze medal. This is a big achievement for any athlete.
World Titles and Other Wins
Balavadze also showed his strength in world championships. He won the world title twice, in 1954 and 1957. He was also a runner-up in 1959, which means he came in second place.
At home, he was a champion too. He won the Soviet Union's national wrestling title five times. These wins were in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1957. He also placed second in 1956 and 1959.
Life After Competing
After the 1960 Olympics, Vakhtang Balavadze stopped competing as a wrestler. But he didn't leave the sport. He became a wrestling coach. This allowed him to share his knowledge and experience with new athletes. He also worked as a referee, making sure wrestling matches followed the rules.
Vakhtang Balavadze lived a long life. He passed away on July 25, 2018, when he was 90 years old. He is remembered as a true legend in the world of wrestling.
