Bellary, Karnataka, 22nd August, 2025: The Inspire Institute of Sport, on Friday, announced that a group of its Judokas have embarked on a long-term high-performance training programme in Akhmeta, Georgia, led by IIS Judo Head Coach, Mamuka Kizilashvili. The move, which saw the athletes make the shift to Akhmeta, marks a significant step in the athletes’ transition from grassroots development to elite, international competition. The programme is designed to prepare the young Judokas – most of whom are still juniors – for upcoming major tournaments, including the Asian Games, the Olympics, and other global competitions. By immersing themselves in an environment that lives and breathes Judo, IIS athletes will gain invaluable exposure to world-class training standards and competition culture.
The move also places them in close proximity to regular club competitions and provides access to a varied group of training partners and opponents – an opportunity that is currently limited in India. “Our mission at IIS has always been to identify young talent and give them the tools and environment to excel at the world stage. Moving our Judokas to Georgia under the guidance of Mamuka is a natural next step in their journey. Most of these young athletes have come through our grassroots programme, and this exposure will help transform them into high-performance competitors,” said Manisha Malhotra, President of the Inspire Institute of Sport.
Georgia has a storied history in Judo, with the sport deeply ingrained in its culture. The country consistently produces world champions and Olympic medalists, making it an ideal destination for IIS’s young Judokas to sharpen their technical and tactical skills while building the physical and mental toughness required at the highest levels. Earlier this year, three-time Olympic medalist and Georgian Judo legend Lasha Shavdatuashvili visited IIS Vijayanagar as part of the Excellence Accelerator Programme, an initiative that is designed to give these Judokas a chance to connect with, train under, and learn directly from World and Olympic Champions. The long-term exposure camp in Georgia represents the Institute’s continued investment in creating sustainable pathways for its athletes, from the very nascent stages of discovery to competing at the pinnacle of sport. Over the past year, the Judokas have taken part in as many as four International competitions across Tbilisi, Istanbul, Austria and Berlin.