Revaz Tchomakhidze

Revaz Baadurovich Tchomakhidze ( _ru. Реваз Баадурович Чомахидзе; born December 15, 1973 in Moscow) is a Russian water polo player who played on the silver medal squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the bronze medal squad at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

The well-built player started his water polo career in Tbilisi, Georgia (former Soviet Union) at the sportclub "Dinamo", where he was active between the years 1987-1993. His first coach was Vladimir Kutataladse. After studying at the Tbilisi State University of Georgia he joined the diplomatic Academy. Although he got a diploma „Master Sporta“ Waterpolo (2002).

Soon the talented player got his first engagement abroad in Italy: first he played by "Rari Nantes Firenze" 1993-1997. After returning to Russia (Dinamo Moskow 1997-2000) he got a special contract, which allowed him to study at the Moscow University in the economic departure.In 1997 he was the first time a member of the Russian National Squad. 1998 he played at the Goodwill Games.

2000 he played again for one of the best clubs in Italy: Pro Recco in the near of Genua (2000-2001). His engagement at Pro Recco wasn't so successful as it was awaited. So the last station abroad of the Russian Nationalplayer was at Mladost Zagreb in Croatia where he has been for 3 seasons. Under the coach Ozren Bonacic he won the Croatian Champiosships with Mladost twice. One of his personal high-lights was when he scored the winning goal in the final of the FINA Cup 2002 against Hungary. In Athens 2004, Tchomakhidze made the difference in Russia’s bronze medal victory. The right-hander’s four goals lifted his team to a 6-5 win over Greece.

Revaz Tchomakhidze deciced to go back to Russia and he is still one of the best player in the young team of Sturm 2002 in Tchechow - a little town before the doors of Moskow.

Although he is still a member of the Russian National Squad. When he was asked til when he is going to stop his career he told, that his wish would be to play til the Olympic Games in Peking/China 2008. In an interview with Novaja izvestija he showed himself very selfprowded: "«Не буду скромничать, я – лучший игрок Европы»" ((Translation: I shall not be over-modest, I am the best player in Europe) (http://www.newizv.ru/print/17573 ))

In February 2007 shocked Tchomakhidze with the message, that he left the Nationalsquad one month before the World Championsships in Melbourne/Australia. In an interview he told he feels very tired and needs a break. If he would return to the Russian team was still open.

He was invited for the 2008 Qualification tournament in March, but he again cancelled his participation for the Russian National Squad. With his club Sthurm 2002 Chekhov he gained 2008 the first place in LEN Trophy. It was a big point for the Russian club, because it was the first International triumph for the young team.

Special details

Favourite Music: Jazz

Hobbies: Yachting, Computer, Travelling, TV-News from Georgia

His favourite food is the Georgian cuisine und he prefers drinking red wine. He speaks Russian and Georgian. Although he learned English, Italian and Spanish.

---- Waterpolo Highlights of Revaz

1989 European Youth Championship Istanbul/Turkey, 5. Place

1997 European Championship Sevilla/Spain, 3. Place

1998 Goodwill Games

1999 European Championship Florence/Italy, 6. Place

2000 Olympic Games Sidney/Australia, Silber Medal

2001 World Championsships Fukuoka/Japan, Bronze Medal

2002 World Cup Belgrade/Serbia

2003 Croatian Championship, 1. Place with Mladost Zagreb/Croatia

2003 Final Four Genova/Italy, 3. Place with Mladost Zagreb

2003 European Championsships, Ljubljana/Slovenia , 4. Place

2004 Olympic Games Athens/Greece, Bronze Medal

2005 World Championsships Montreal/Canada, 7. Place

2005 Russian Championship, 1. Place with Sturm 2002 Tschekhov/Russia

2006 Russian Championship, 1. Place with Sturm 2002 Tschekhov/Russia

2006 European Championsships, Belgrade/Serbia 9. Place

2007 Russian Championship, 2. Place with Sturm 2002 Tschekhov/Russia

2008 LEN Trophy 1. Place

----Bibliography

* http://www.fina.org
* http://www.newizv.ru/print/17573
* Interview waterpoloworld July 2003
* http://www.infosport.ru/xml/t/person.xml?id=799
* http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:UYOvI8yBLgsJ:www.sgh-wasserball.de/history/Jugendmeisterschaft%2520Europa/Jgd-EM_89.htm+Revaz+Wordl+cup+2002&hl=de&gl=de&ct=clnk&cd=2
* http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/default.asp?id=234652
* http://www.volgainform.ru/allnews/788224/
* http://www.regnum.ru/news/district-abroad/georgia/sport/788224.html
* http://www.newizv.ru/print/88676

External links

* [http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/9255/revaztchomakhidze1hz.jpgPhoto 1]