Scandal in the Judo Bundesliga: After a provocative celebration by Timo Cavelius, Leipzig’s Georgian fighter Akaki Japaridse lost his temper and landed a devastating blow.
The final day of competition in the Judo Bundesliga was overshadowed by a violent brawl. In the match between host JC Leipzig and serial champion TSV Abensberg, Akaki Japaridse, a Georgian competing for Leipzig, lost his temper after his defeat against German Olympic athlete Timo Cavelius.
Japaridse punched his opponent repeatedly, beating him so badly that he had to be hospitalized. The German Judo Federation (DJB) reacted with horror to the attack on Cavelius, who serves as an athlete representative.
Beating Ends in Hospital
Japaridse (24) struck his unsuspecting opponent three times with his fist after the latter had provocatively cheered in his direction—Leipzig had already been declared the winner of the fight night at that point.
According to the Leipziger Volkszeitung, Cavelius (29) lost two teeth, suffered a broken jaw, and required surgery. As the DJB reported, Cavelius will be sidelined for several months.
“He completely lost it”
“The Georgian completely lost it. This is a terrible isolated incident and has nothing to do with Leipzig or Abensberg—our clubs get along well,” Abensberg’s coach Manuel Scheibel told the LVZ: “We also think it was the right decision not to stop the team competition but to let it run its course.”
JCL President Uwe Bierey stated in a club release: “Violence has no place in our sport. As judokas, we stand for respect, tolerance, fairness, and mutual respect.”
Police have been called in; further consequences loom
The DJB announced its intention to “thoroughly investigate” the incident: “The police have already been called in and have documented the incident. In addition, the DJB is reviewing all possible sports disciplinary and legal actions and will pursue them rigorously.”
The federation will closely support Cavelius—who is “an important member of the national team and also a link between the athletes and the DJB’s Presidium and Executive Board”—through this difficult situation and assist him in all necessary matters.
“Anyone who steps onto the mat entrusts their own safety to their opponent. This trust is the foundation of our sport,” said Miryam Roper, DJB Executive Board Member for Competitive Sports: “This act not only seriously injured Timo; it affects every one of us who practices judo.”
