Rati Mskhvilidze, former Georgian handball player, dies at 40

Former Georgian national team handball player Rati Mskhvilidze has passed away at the age of 40 following a sudden heart attack. The incident occurred in a shopping center in Tbilisi, where Mskhvilidze reportedly felt severe pain and sought assistance at a local pharmacy before collapsing.

Mskhvilidze had a significant international career, notably playing for the Serbian club Metaloplastika from 2009 to 2011. He also played for Stjarnan in Iceland, Trabzon in Turkey, and Pelister in North Macedonia. For the Georgian national team, he earned 28 caps and scored 112 goals.

Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching to work with younger generations. RK Metaloplastika has issued an official statement expressing deep condolences to his family, friends, and the wider handball community.