For Lasha Talakhadze, weightlifting is more than a sport. It is a legacy shaped by national pride and inspired by heroes such as Giorgi Asanidze, the Athens 2004 Olympic champion.

For Talakhadze, victory has never been meaningful without the Georgian flag. A three-time Olympic gold medallist, he stood atop the podium at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games proudly listening to his national anthem resonate across the arena.

His journey began at the age of 13 under the guidance of his father. By 17, he had earned a place in Georgia’s youth national team and competed at the 2010 European Championships in Valencia. Early success, including three gold medals in his formative years, cemented his commitment to the sport. That dedication eventually carried him beyond competition and into leadership, where he now plays a key role in shaping Georgian weightlifting.

In 2026, Georgia is hosting the European Senior Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, in collaboration with the European Weightlifting Federation under the new leadership of Astrit Hasani. The event, running from 19 to 26 April, has brought together 368 athletes from 51 European nations, creating what Talakhadze describes as a memorable experience for all involved.

He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Sports Minister Shalva Gogoladze, emphasising that all members of the local government in Adjara and the Georgian Weightlifting Federation contributed to the successful organisation of the event.

Talakhadze is unequivocal about the place of weightlifting in the Olympic movement. In his view, the Olympics are built upon a foundation of core sports, and weightlifting is one of them. Preserving that legacy, he insists, is a shared responsibility.

I invited him for an interview at the Hilton Batumi, where I was staying. Despite the ongoing competition, he graciously accepted and made time to speak with Sportsin, offering fans a deeper insight into his life and values.

Thank you, Lasha, for your time.

During your speech at the opening ceremony, the crowd was chanting your name with such passion. Where does that love come from?

“I have always received great love and support from my people,” Talakhadze said. “That has been the main driving force in my life, the motivation that pushes me forward. When you asked me this question, I realised that I cannot live even a second without Georgia.”

“We are a small country with a limited population, but what has helped us survive through centuries is the love and humanity we share. We have always stood together and supported one another.”

“We have a kind of ‘code’, our language, our land, and our religion. It may sound a bit political, but it is part of who we are. That is why we all feel a responsibility toward our country and our people.”

So let me make it more challenging. What does that sense of responsibility mean to you personally?

“Like many others, I have always tried to contribute to success in every field, culture, sport, and the international arena  because for a small country like ours, it matters greatly.”

“I try to be present in training centres, both in big cities and in villages, to give everyone the opportunity to test their strength and talent in weightlifting.”

Georgia has produced many weightlifting legends, including Kakha Kakhiashvili, Giorgi Asanidze, and Irakli Turmanidze. Talakhadze believes it is vital to continue that tradition by reaching out to communities across the country.

Through his achievements and his leadership, Talakhadze is not only preserving Georgia’s proud weightlifting tradition but also reinforcing his belief that the sport remains an essential pillar of the Olympic Games.

How do you view weightlifting’s place in the Olympic Games, given the recent challenges the sport has faced?

“Recently, many people have tried to turn sport in general, and even the Olympic Games, into a business. In my view, that is regrettable, because sport and business were never meant to be the same thing. Athletes dedicate their lives to this path, they train hard, and they even put their health at risk. So talking about spectacle, commerce, and money in this context is, in my view, not appropriate.”

“Some sports have been added to the Olympic programme that, in my opinion, do not fully reflect the original spirit of the Games. I do not want to speak negatively about them, because even within those disciplines there are athletes who work extremely hard. But there are also individuals who are more focused on the commercial side of the Olympics.”

“I believe there should be less focus on reshaping or replacing the traditional Olympic sports. These are the disciplines that have always been part of the Games and have helped define their appeal. We should not try to reinvent the wheel.”

“The Olympics are closely connected with weightlifting. Traditional sports should remain as they are. Instead of removing weightlifting, they should support it.”

He mentioned that the Georgian government has allocated around 2.3 billion lari for the development of sports infrastructure, including training bases and centres across various disciplines such as weightlifting. He said this investment has played a significant role in identifying and nurturing young talent.

How would you describe your relationship with young Georgian weightlifters, Lasha?

“I try to stay as close as possible to the next generation,” he said. “I regularly attend their training sessions, meet them directly, and spend time with them. I believe my relationship with all of them is very friendly.”

“I try to lead by example, offering advice and maintaining a supportive and approachable attitude. Not only as federation president, but also as a friend, an older brother, or a guiding figure. I want to encourage them to pursue weightlifting and to continue along the path they have chosen in sport.”

Photos by Easy Sport