Judo for Kids in Tbilisi — Children's Judo Classes Ages 4-16 | Gymnasia Sports Academy
Judo for Kids at Gymnasia (Ages 4-16)
In Georgia, Judo is more than a sport — it is a tradition of strength, honor, and respect. At Gymnasia in Tbilisi, your child will learn from one of Georgia's finest judoka while developing the physical abilities, mental discipline, and character that will serve them throughout life. From their first bow to their first competition, every step on the tatami builds a stronger, more confident young person.
Why Judo for Your Child?
- Complete physical development: Judo is a full-body workout — throws, breakfalls, ground work, and conditioning build strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance all at once
- Deep respect and discipline: The tradition of bowing, following the sensei, and respecting your training partner instills values that last a lifetime
- Anti-bullying confidence: Judo gives children the ability to defend themselves and the wisdom to walk away — confident children are less likely to be targeted
- Competition pathway: Regular tournaments and belt gradings give children clear goals and the thrill of testing themselves
- Georgian tradition: Judo holds a special place in Georgian culture — your child becomes part of a proud sporting heritage
Our Coaches
Our kids judo program is led by a team of experienced coaches dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes.
- Vano Churchkhelashvili (Head Coach) — World Sambo Champion and National Medalist. Coach Churchkhelashvili brings world-class grappling experience to our kids program, combining technical excellence with a deep understanding of youth athlete development. Instagram
- Nino Martiashvili — Judo instructor for kids ages 6-15. Coach Martiashvili brings dedicated attention to young judoka, developing their technical foundations with patience and care.
- Tornike Jugeli — Judo black belt and Strength & Conditioning coach. Coach Jugeli develops athletic foundations across all age groups, ensuring young athletes build the physical base for judo excellence. Instagram
Age Groups & Class Format
| Age Group | Schedule | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 4-8 years (Groups A, D) | Multiple sessions/week | Fundamentals, breakfalls, basic throws, games, coordination |
| 6+ years (Group C) | Multiple sessions/week | Technique development, randori introduction, competition basics |
| 8-16 years (Teens Group B) | Multiple sessions/week | Advanced throws, competition preparation, ne-waza (ground work), conditioning |
Class duration: 45-60 minutes depending on age group What to bring: Judo gi (kimono) required. Available at krivi.ge. For trial classes, comfortable sportswear is fine.
The Gymnasia Advantage: Judo + BJJ Integration
Our judo students also attend Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes to develop deeper ground game skills (ne-waza). This unique combination creates well-rounded martial artists who are dominant both standing and on the ground — an advantage in competition and in self-defense situations.
Safe & Supportive Environment
- Professional tatami mats — the proper surface for safe throws and breakfalls
- Breakfall training first — every student learns how to fall safely before learning to throw
- Age-appropriate intensity — younger children focus on games and fundamentals, older students progress to competitive training
- Coach Churchkhelashvili leads with patience, encouragement, and a deep understanding of child development
- Anti-bullying values — respect, empathy, and self-control are core parts of every class
- Competition preparation — students who want to compete are carefully prepared through progressive sparring
- Parent viewing area — observe your child's journey every class
Class Schedule
- Gymnasia Lisi: View Judo Schedule
Reviews from Our Members
What Our Members Say
Friendly staff and a lot of activities to keep your kid active and healthy. Nice to see more Georgian businesses oriented to children development. Keep it up!
The child really likes it — the best teachers. They treat the children warmly.
We are very satisfied, my grandson happily follows me to Gymnasia.
Pricing
| Package | Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| Trial Class | Free |
| 8 classes/month | 240 GEL |
| 10 classes/month | 270 GEL |
| 12 classes/month | 300 GEL |
| 15 classes/month | 345 GEL |
| 20 classes/month | 400 GEL |
Commit and save: 3 months -10% | 6 months -15% | 12 months -20%
Parents Ask Us
Is judo safe for my child?
Judo is one of the safest martial arts for children. The very first skill every student learns is how to fall safely (ukemi). All training takes place on professional tatami mats. Coach Churchkhelashvili ensures age-appropriate intensity and close supervision at all times.
What age can my child start judo?
Our youngest group starts from age 4. Children in this group learn through games, basic movements, and playful activities that develop coordination and judo fundamentals.
Does my child need previous experience?
No. All beginners are welcome. Coach Churchkhelashvili adapts the training to each child's level, whether they are 4 or 14.
What should my child wear/bring?
A judo gi (kimono) is required for regular classes. If you do not have one yet, you can purchase one at krivi.ge. For your first trial class, comfortable sportswear is perfectly fine.
How will judo help with school performance?
Judo develops focus, discipline, respect for authority, and the ability to handle both success and failure gracefully. These qualities consistently improve children's performance and behavior at school.
Will my child get hurt?
Every student learns breakfalls (safe falling technique) before they learn any throws. All sparring is supervised and age-appropriate. Judo has one of the lowest injury rates among martial arts precisely because safe training methods are built into the art itself.
Can I watch the class?
Yes. We have a parent viewing area where you can observe every session.
Does my child also learn BJJ?
Yes! Our judo students attend Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes to develop ground game skills, creating the most complete grappling education available.
Can my child compete?
When your child is ready, Coach Churchkhelashvili will recommend them for competitions and tournaments. Competition is always optional but encouraged for children who want to test themselves.
Continue Georgia's Judo Tradition
Georgia has produced some of the world's finest judoka. By starting judo at Gymnasia, your child becomes part of this proud tradition — learning discipline, earning respect, and building a body and mind ready for anything. Start with a free trial class.
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