Irakli Goginashvili Shortlisted for SportsAid One-to-Watch Award

British judoka Irakli Goginashvili has been named a finalist for SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award, a prestigious accolade that has celebrated the UK’s brightest young athletes since its launch in 2006.

SportsAid is unveiling its top ten shortlisted athletes throughout the week across its social media channels, and we are delighted to confirm that Irakli Goginashvili (Palavani Judo Club) has earned his place among this elite group.

Starting in 2006, the One to Watch Award has long been a trusted indicator of future success. Athletes are nominated by their sport’s governing body based on their performance, potential, and impact.

From a cohort of around 1,000 rising British stars across more than 60 sports, the shortlist recognises athletes who have shown exceptional talent, dedication, and potential.

Past winners have gone on to stellar careers, with the award’s ‘Hall of Fame’ boasting household names such as Tom Daley OBE, Hollie Arnold MBE, Jodie Williams, Courtney Tulloch, Amber Rutter, Emma Wilson, and Alex Yee MBE.

Collectively, these athletes have amassed over 130 senior medals from Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games.

Goginashvili’s 2025 season has been nothing short of exceptional, firmly establishing him as one of British Judo’s most exciting emerging talents, and now as one of the standout young athletes across all of British sport.

His headline achievement came at the Junior European Championships, where he captured gold and the continental title, becoming the first British male judoka in 25 years to reach the top of the podium. He followed this with a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships, making him the first British male in 14 years to medal at the event.

His momentum continued throughout the year, securing gold medals at the Birmingham, Prague, and Poznań Junior European Cups, alongside bronze at both the Málaga Junior and Poznań Senior European Cups. Most recently, he delivered an impressive 5th-place finish at the Lima Grand Prix. Though just shy of a medal, it was an outstanding result for his first Grand Prix appearance, underlining that even at only 19 years old, he is already a serious contender on the senior international circuit.

Joining Goginashvili in the top ten so far are Charlie Gran (Sailing), Erin Boothman (Cycling), Mohammed Belbouab (Fencing), Mariam Eissa (Squash), Sarah Parry (Rugby), Ruben Harris (Wheelchair Tennis), and Success Eduan (Athletics), with the remaining shortlisted athletes to be announced tomorrow.

SportsAid will reveal the top three finalists for the One-to-Watch Award in December.

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