London may finally have found its next champion. At just 20 years old, Irakli Goginashvili continues to write a remarkable new chapter in British judo history. Already crowned Junior European Champion in 2025, the Palavani Judo Club athlete has now added another glittering achievement to his record — a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in the -73 kg category. Born in the British capital but deeply connected to his Georgian roots, Goginashvili is establishing himself as one of the brightest young talents on the global scene. After a stunning season marked by four international gold medals, he has firmly confirmed his place among those shaping the future of British judo.
A Meteoric Rise Rooted in Heritage and Hard Work
Everything seems to be happening fast for Irakli Goginashvili, yet none of it is by chance. Born in London to a family from Tbilisi, he grew up in an environment where judo is far more than a sport — it’s a family tradition. His father, Levon Goginashvili, a former Georgian judoka turned coach, introduced him to the tatami at the age of two and still trains him daily at the Palavani Judo Club. His grandfather was also a judoka, making the discipline a true family legacy passed down through generations.
“I’m proud to represent the United Kingdom, but my style will always have that Georgian spirit,” he often says.
That blend — British precision combined with Georgian ferocity — is perhaps what defines him best as an athlete.
The 2025 season will go down as his breakout year. Goginashvili captured three major Junior European Cup titles — in Birmingham, Prague and Poznan — before going on to claim the European Junior title in Bratislava, giving Great Britain its first men’s gold in that category in 25 years. To that, he added two more podiums: bronze at the Malaga Junior European Cup and another at the Podgorica Senior European Cup, where he showed he could already hold his own against senior-level opponents.
These results underline his consistency and competitive maturity — qualities rare for someone of his age. His performances have made him one of the most reliable and composed young judokas in Europe, capable of performing under pressure wherever he competes.
Despite his youth, Goginashvili is already known for his professionalism and mental strength. He learned valuable lessons from past disappointments — notably his early exit at the 2024 Junior World Championships, which left him determined to return stronger.
“I knew what went wrong last year,” he explained before leaving for the 2025 Worlds. “I worked hard on my focus and aggression.”
His goal was clear: to follow in the footsteps of Neil Adams, Graeme Randall, and Craig Fallon, all former British junior world champions who went on to shine at senior level. By securing his own place among the world’s best young fighters, Goginashvili has shown he’s on that same path.
A Grit-Fuelled Journey to the Podium
In the highly competitive -73 kg category, Goginashvili once again demonstrated his composure and tactical intelligence against a field packed with quality judokas. As a seeded athlete in Pool C, he began his campaign confidently, defeating Hungary’s Attila Uveges before overcoming Greece’s Konstantinos Tsaparas. Those victories set up a high-stakes quarter-final against his compatriot Benjamin Levy, also representing Great Britain. In a tense, hard-fought contest, Goginashvili prevailed, ensuring a British presence among the tournament’s semi-finalists.
In the semi-final, he faced Japan’s Ryusei Arakawa, one of the most technically complete judokas in the draw. Despite a strong performance and moments of control, Goginashvili narrowly lost to the eventual finalist. The setback sent him into the repechage, where he came up against Sweden’s Narek Vardanian, a familiar rival whom he had beaten in the final of the European Junior Championships only weeks earlier. Once again, the Brit came out on top — this time earning a well-deserved bronze medal on the world stage.
This podium finish crowns what has been a truly exceptional year, highlighted by a steady stream of international success. As he stood smiling on the podium, the emotion was unmistakable — this was far more than a consolation prize; it was proof of his growing stature.
“I wanted to show I could bounce back after the semi-final. This medal represents all the work I’ve put in this season,” he said after the competition.
His father and coach, Levon Goginashvili, echoed the pride:
“Irakli has learned to fight for every score, to stay composed under pressure. He’s improving with every tournament.”
A Future Built for Greatness
With this result, Irakli Goginashvili concludes a near-perfect season — European titles, multiple European Cup podiums, and now a world medal. For a nation long waiting for male judokas to break through internationally, he represents a genuine beacon of hope. His steady progress, technical sharpness and work ethic suggest that this is only the beginning.
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are already in his sights. If he continues on this trajectory, Goginashvili could well follow the path of Neil Adams, Graeme Randall and Craig Fallon — the last three Britons who turned junior world titles into senior global success.
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