The winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the sub-lightweight category, the Georgian professional fighter Ilia Topuria, was awarded for his exceptional personal contributions to the promotion of mixed martial arts in Georgia and his successful sports activities.
The award ceremony was held today at the Orbeliani Palace, where the state award was personally presented to Ilia Topuria by the President of Georgia.
I would like to extend my greetings to all of you. Allow me to share my joy, as well as the joy of Georgia as a whole. It is with great honor that I present this award to you today, which serves as an exemplary achievement in many regards. For young people, this stands as a testament to the heights they can aspire to reach—whether it be within Georgia or beyond, as sport transcends borders. Regardless of one's starting point, the ultimate goal is to rise to the top, and this example holds significant importance for our country and its youth. Especially at a time when they must recognize that leading a healthy lifestyle and engaging in sports is paramount for their future, irrespective of their involvement in athletics. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for this. Sportsmen like you serve as living embodiments of success for them, and our society as a whole need such exemplary figures. Hence, this recognition holds immense significance.
The second aspect, which is no less important, is your timely decision to retain your Georgian citizenship. Today, this serves as a significant message for all individuals residing and working abroad, encouraging them to demonstrate a similar commitment in due time—whether it be to regain or maintain their citizenship. While there are various forms for doing so, I will refrain from delving into the legal intricacies. However, your willingness to do so signifies your ongoing connection with the country and your desire to proudly represent Georgia, regardless of your level of success. As a representative of the state, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, as your actions not only convey this message but have already done so. I am confident that it will resonate with many individuals, particularly the youth. I reiterate that there are diverse methods for maintaining, reinstating, or obtaining citizenship, and you must explore them at your discretion, possibly in collaboration with us. Nonetheless, the key lies in your determination and expression of this desire, as it holds utmost significance today—it reflects your Georgian identity and loyalty to your homeland, regardless of your whereabouts or achievements. Thank you once again for this.
Today, I am delighted to celebrate your victory. However, as today is also a pivotal day for competitions, I wish our national team success this evening in advance. Wherever you may be, I will be there alongside many others in support.
Thank you very much for joining us, everyone, and thank you sincerely for everything," remarked the President.
At the award ceremony, Ilia Topuria expressed his gratitude to the President for the state award:
"It is a great honor for me to receive this award. I departed Georgia as an ordinary citizen, and today returning here, standing before you and receiving such an award fills me with immense pride. I am deeply grateful for your kind words. As you mentioned, we will depart shortly, we will rally behind the Georgian national team, and undoubtedly, we will win!
A big thank you to everyone for coming, long live Georgia!" said Ilia Topuria.
