Tea Donguzashvili

3.1. Early Career and Training

After starting judo at 13, Donguzashvili later relocated to Saint Petersburg, Russia. In Saint Petersburg, she trained under the guidance of Elena Petrova, a bronze medalist in the 134 lb ^{(61 kg)} category at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

3.2. Olympic Participation

Donguzashvili participated in two Olympic Games, securing a bronze medal in her first appearance.

Her Olympic debut came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, when she was 28 years old. Competing in the heavyweight (172 lb ^{(78 kg)}) division, she was defeated by Maki Tsukada of Japan. Donguzashvili then advanced to the repechage round, where she secured a victory against Insaf Yahyaoui of Tunisia with a combination of a waza-ari and an ippon. This win led her to share the bronze medal with Sun Fuming of China.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Donguzashvili again competed in the heavyweight category. She faced Tong Wen of China in her first match and was defeated, moving into the repechage bracket. In the repechage, she initially defeated Maryna Prokofyeva of Ukraine but was subsequently eliminated by Kim Na-young of South Korea in her next match, finishing in ninth place overall.

3.3. World Championships

Tea Donguzashvili has a notable record at the World Judo Championships, securing three bronze medals and one silver medal.

She won her first World Championship bronze medal at the 2003 World Judo Championships in Osaka, Japan, competing in the 172 lb ^{(78 kg)} category. In 2005, at the 2005 World Judo Championships in Cairo, Egypt, she placed fifth in the 172 lb ^{(78 kg)} division. She earned another bronze medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships in Tokyo, Japan, this time in the Women's Open category. Her highest achievement at the World Championships was a silver medal at the 2011 World Judo Open Championships in Tyumen, Russia, also in the Women's Open category.

3.4. European Championships

Donguzashvili has been a consistent medalist at the European Judo Championships and European Open Championships, earning one gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals across various weight classes.

Her European Championship medal haul includes:

• Gold:**
  • 2006 European Judo Open Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia (Open category)
• Silver:**
  • 2001 European Judo Championships in Paris, France (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
  • 2002 European Judo Championships in Maribor, Slovenia (Open category)
  • 2003 European Judo Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
  • 2005 European Judo Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
  • 2005 European Judo Open Championships in Moscow, Russia (Open category)
  • 2008 European Judo Championships in Lisbon, Portugal (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
  • 2010 European Judo Championships in Vienna, Austria (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
• Bronze:**
  • 2000 European Judo Championships in Wrocław, Poland (Open category)
  • 2007 European Judo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})
  • 2011 European Judo Championships in Istanbul, Turkey (172 lb ^{(78 kg)})

  She also placed fifth at the 2004 European Judo Open Championships in Budapest, Hungary (Open category) and at the 2006 European Judo Championships in Tampere, Finland (172 lb ^{(78 kg)}).

3.5. Other Major Competitions

Beyond the Olympics and major championships, Donguzashvili achieved success in other significant judo events. She won a silver medal at the 1999 Summer Universiade in Palma de Mallorca, and a bronze medal at the 2001 Summer Universiade in Beijing, both in the 172 lb ^{(78 kg)} category.

In the IJF Grand Prix series, she secured a gold medal at the 2011 Grand Prix Baku in the 172 lb ^{(78 kg)} division, and a bronze medal at the 2009 Grand Prix Tunis, also in the 172 lb ^{(78 kg)} category. She also won the World Cup Sofia in 2011.

3.6. Club Affiliation

Since 2000, Tea Donguzashvili has been affiliated with the Yawara Neva Judo Club, where she serves as the captain of the women's team. The club is notable for having Vladimir Putin as its honorary chairman.