Is Georgia Becoming the Next Dagestan? Inside a Wrestler’s Paradise

Is Georgia Becoming the Next Dagestan? Inside a Wrestler’s Paradise

For years, Dagestan has been recognised as the global epicentre of wrestling talent. Names like Sadulaev, Khabib and Islam Makhachev have defined an era of dominance across both wrestling and MMA. But over the past decade, another nation has begun catching the world’s attention, the country of Georgia.

With its deep-rooted wrestling culture, world-class athletes and unique technical style, Georgia is quickly becoming a destination that grapplers and wrestlers around the world are eager to explore. The question many now ask is simple - which country should I visit, Georgia or Dagestan?

The answer reveals something more interesting. Georgia isn’t trying to replace Dagestan. It’s becoming its own version of a wrestling powerhouse, with a style and culture that international athletes are finding incredibly attractive.

Let’s explore why.

Wrestling for These People Are a Way of Life

Dagestan and Georgia share one important trait:wrestling isn’t just a sport to them, it’s a big part of their national identity.

In both countries, young athletes grow up surrounded by wrestling rooms, competitions and strong community support. Training is respected. Discipline is celebrated. Success is expected.

While Dagestan is certainly known for high-level training, relentless pace and deeply engrained discipline, Georgia is recognised for a style that blends:

1. Power and explosiveness
2. Creativity in throws and transitions
3. Beautiful upper-body control
4. Strong Greco-Roman influence
5. A slightly more relaxed but still highly technical and passionate training environment

This combination produces wrestlers who are both athletic and technical — something athletes around the world increasingly want to study.

Georgia’s Global Wrestling Pedigree 

Georgia is not an “up-and-coming” nation in wrestling.

It has already been elite for decades. The country consistently produces Olympic medalists, world champions and European champions across both freestyle and Greco-Roman styles.

Names like Avto Kinchadze, Vladimer Khinchegashvili and Geno Petriashvili have made Georgia a respected force on the world stage. Avto’s success is especially meaningful for the VK community, as he was one of Valentin Kalika’s own students before becoming a World Champion.

But what really highlights Georgia’s global presence today is the increasingly international nature of its wrestling culture. At the 2025 VK International Wrestling Camp alone, athletes travelled from 13 different countries, with representatives from Europe, North America, South America and Asia all sharing the mats together. Even a club from Dagestan made the trip to Georgia to train, which speaks volumes about the respect Georgian wrestling now commands.

This diversity reflects something important: the world is beginning to recognise Georgia not just as a strong wrestling nation, but as a destination worth travelling to. Its Soviet-era technical roots, combined with its creative style and welcoming culture, create an environment that wrestlers from across the globe want to experience firsthand.

Training Culture in Georgia - A Perfect Balance of Hard Work and Hospitality 

One of the reasons international athletes fall in love with Georgia is the environment. Training is serious, but the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Coaches welcome visitors and local athletes are excited to train with foreigners. There is a genuine sense of community.

Key aspects of Georgian training culture include access to high level training partners that you are with daily, an environment where all levels of athletes mix and learn from one another and a hard training schedule balanced with good humour and local hospitality. 

For many, this blend is unique. It creates a learning environment where enjoyment and discipline works hand in hand.

A Personal Experience From the 2025 Camp

By Elam, UK 🇬🇧 

Regional BJJ Competitor & Amateur MMA Athlete

As someone who competes regularly in the UK grappling circuit and has fought in amateur MMA bouts, I arrived in Georgia with a bit of uncertainty about what to expect. I had watched Georgian wrestlers online, I knew their reputation and I wondered how a foreigner like me would fit into that kind of environment.

But the moment I stepped onto the mats in Gori, my anxiety disappeared.

The room was filled with athletes from all over the world, each with different martial arts backgrounds and skill levels, yet everyone shared the same goal which was to learn, improve and to push themselves. The atmosphere was serious, but never intimidating. The Georgian wrestlers, despite their incredible skills were welcoming, humble and eager to help anyone who showed passion and effort.

Training alongside young Georgian athletes preparing for major international tournaments was one of the most inspiring experiences I have ever had. Their discipline, intensity and pride in their craft rub off on you almost immediately. You feel yourself naturally raising your own standard, not because anyone demands it, but because the energy of the room pulls you toward becoming better.

Beyond the training, the hospitality in Georgia left a permanent impression on me. Myself and a few of the friends I made at the camp went out daily for local Georgian meals, trying dishes made from fresh, traditional ingredients that were completely new to me as someone from the UK. The food, the people and the sense of community made every day feel meaningful and unique.

Georgia’s history also adds depth to the experience. With its Orthodox Christian roots, strong cultural identity and centuries-old traditions, the country feels rich and alive. Locals were always happy to share stories about their history, their faith and the values that shape their culture today.

My time in Georgia showed me that training here is more than improving takedowns or technique. It is about entering a culture where wrestling is woven into the identity of the people and where visitors are welcomed with genuine warmth and respect.

Gori - The Heart of Georgian Wrestling 

When athletes visit Georgia for the VK International Wrestling Camp, they travel to Gori, which is a historic city that has become a hub for elite wrestling.

Gori offers:

1. Multiple wrestling academies
2. Pro-level wrestlers available for rounds
3. A culture built around the sport
4. Beautiful sightseeing opportunities
5. A safe, walkable environment
6. Local restaurants serving delicious traditional Georgian dishes

Whether you're walking into a wrestling hall or exploring the town center, everything in Gori feels connected to the sport. 

Why Georgia Appeals to International Grapplers 

While Dagestan is most definitely an incredible training destination, for many athletes outside Russia it is difficult to access. Georgia offers an alternative that is: 

• Safe and Travel friendly
• Visa-friendly for most countries (Click here to view the visa free list) 
• Very accessible for English speakers
• Very affordable for Westerners
• Open to visitors in the wrestling rooms

This is a major reason why BJJ athletes, MMA fighters and freestyle wrestlers are now choosing Georgia as a serious training location.

Add to that Georgia’s unique wrestling style — explosive, smart and creative. You get a country that is becoming one of the most valuable training destinations for grapplers, wrestlers and MMA athletes worldwide. 

How Georgian Wrestling Helps BJJ and MMA 

Athletes who train in Georgia quickly notice that the style transfers beautifully to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling and MMA.

Georgian wrestling helps with:

• Upper-body control
• Foot sweeps and reaps
• Creative takedowns from unorthodox angles
• Improved control in the clinch
• Explosive throws from underhooks, overhooks and body locks

For BJJ athletes mostly used to single legs and doubles, this opens an entirely new part of the game. For MMA fighters, it provides control transferable to wall work and excellent transitional opportunities. 

So, Is Georgia Becoming the Next Dagestan? 

In many ways, yes — Georgia is rising fast in global recognition and becoming a true wrestling destination, here's why: 

1. A place where culture and sport blend naturally
2. A place with rich history and modern coaching
3. A place where international grapplers feel welcomed
4. A place that produces world-class results while staying true to its roots

Dagestan will always be Dagestan.

Georgia is becoming something different — something equally special.

Experience Georgian Wrestling First-Hand 

The best way to understand the power of Georgian wrestling is to experience it first hand.

The 2026 VK International Wrestling Camp in Gori brings together:

1. World-class Georgian wrestlers
2. Olympic-level coaching from Valentin Kalika
3. A complete cultural and athletic experience
4. Training that transforms your game

If you want to level up your wrestling and feel the energy of one of the world’s truest wrestling nations, Georgia is the place to be.

👉 Click here to learn more about the 2026 Georgia Camp