Aleksandra Japaridze

1895-1974 / mountain climber

Aleksandra did about 100 climbs in the Caucasus range. She was of the founders of Georgian and Soviet mountain-climbing and helped set up the Georgian Alpine Club. She was recognized as a master of the sport and judged competitions internationally. Her name is associated with the discovery of the Bethlehem cave. Aleksandra climbed almost all the major peaks of the Caucasus and was the first woman to set foot on the Georgian mountains Tetnuldi and Ushba. During her life she won every prize given for mountain-climbing and also taught her craft to generations of young climbers.

In a poll of the Journalists Federation, she was named the top athlete of the 20th century.