Eteri Liparteliani Faces Her Next Challenge in Baku

Eteri Liparteliani heads to the World Championships in Baku with a new challenge in Georgian judo: defending her senior world title in the -57kg category.

Liparteliani made history in June 2025 when she became the first Georgian woman to win a senior world title. The breakthrough was another landmark in a career that has repeatedly opened new doors for women’s judo in Georgia.

Her momentum has continued since then. More than a year after her world gold, Liparteliani added the senior European title to her record and also claimed another Grand Slam victory in Lausanne. Speaking to the EJU during a training camp in Slovakia, she reflected on the scale of that run.

“Last year, I won the World Championships. It was truly an unbelievable year,” Liparteliani said. “This year, I competed at the European Championships with even greater motivation and became European champion. I think I have now brought the two titles together.”

For many athletes, arriving at a World Championships as both reigning world and European champion could create a heavy sense of expectation. Liparteliani says those achievements have had the opposite effect, giving her more motivation rather than pressure.

“Psychologically, I do not feel any pressure at all,” she said. “On the contrary, I am happy and motivated by the fact that I am both European and world champion. I will be even more motivated at these World Championships, and I will defend my title.”

Liparteliani’s confidence is built on discipline and tireless hard work.

The Georgian will compete in the individual -57kg contest on 6 October before returning to the tatami for the mixed team event on 11 October. Georgia will be aiming to retain the mixed team world crown won in 2025, adding a second major mission to Liparteliani’s week in Baku.

A first title defence is unfamiliar territory, but Liparteliani arrives with recent European gold, world gold and a clear belief in the work that brought her there.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union