The United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport of wrestling, officially recognized Georgia's Geno Petriashvili as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year.

Petriashvili, a three-time World Champion, competed in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, where he made history by becoming Georgia's third-ever freestyle Olympic gold medalist. He achieved this remarkable feat by defeating his Iranian opponent, Amir Hossein Zare, in the men’s 125 kg final.

Additionally, the 30-year-old wrestler earned a silver medal at the 2024 European Wrestling Championships, after narrowly losing to Turkish wrestler Taha Akgül in the final.