The Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) has stationed eight young judokas, boys and girls, mostly in the 18-20 age group, in Akhmeta, Georgia, for long-term high-performance training under head coach Mamuka Kizilashvili.
The idea is to help the judokas fast-track their progress to compete at their best in the Asian Games, Olympics, and other international competitions.
The judokas Leishangthem Chanu, Linthoi Chanambam, Ishroop Narang, Yamini Mourya, Aditya Solanki, Arun Kumar, Sidharth Rawat, and Ningthoujam Sheetal Singh get a varied group of training partners and opponents through regular club competitions.
They will also compete in international events from time to time.
“Our mission at IIS has always been to identify young talent and give them the tools and environment to excel on the world stage. Most of these young judokas have come through our grassroots program, and this exposure will help transform them into high-level competitors,” said the president of the IIS, Manisha Malhotra.
Georgia has consistently developed world champions and Olympic medalists. The environment is expected to help the Indian judokas sharpen their technical and tactical skills while building the physical and mental toughness required at the highest levels of competition.
Earlier this year, three-time Olympic medalist and London Games champion, judo legend of Georgia, Lasha Shavdatuashvili, visited IIS in Vijayanagar as part of the Excellence Accelerator program. That initiative is designed to give the judokas a chance to connect with, train under, and learn directly from world and Olympic champions.
IIS continues to invest in the development of judokas in various ways, and they have had four international competitions in Georgia, Turkey, Austria, and Germany over the past year.
Published on Aug 22, 2025
