Mourning a champion: Georgia grieves for wrestler Curcumia

Georgian media have conveyed tragic news. 27-year-old wrestler Nugzari Curcumia, who became world champion in 2019 in the category up to 55 kilograms, has passed away. According to unofficial information, the athlete is believed to have committed suicide.

Regarding wrestlers competing in the category up to 55 kilograms, Nugzari Curcumia was one of the most decorated. He had a track record of success, winning both world and European championship medals.

The Georgian, who became world champion in 2019, specialised in the Greco-Roman wrestling style. In the tournament's final in Astana, Curcumia defeated Japan’s Shota Ogawa. This marked the most tremendous success of his career.

For years, the 27-year-old wrestler repeatedly won medals at major events. Now, however, Georgian media have reported the death of this accomplished athlete.

The Georgian federation has reported that Curcumia was found dead in his home, located in his hometown of Chobi. An autopsy will determine the cause of the wrestler’s death.

The local media are already writing extensively on this matter. According to the website primetime.ge, the 27-year-old is believed to have committed suicide, possibly due to his family situation. It’s said that Curcumia lost both his mother and father in a short period.

Curcumia was a great medal hope for Georgia at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, although he would have had to compete in another category. At the mentioned event, the lowest category for Greco-Roman wrestling is up to 60 kilograms.