In March 2021, Kakhelashvili competed at the European Qualification Tournament in Budapest, Hungary hoping to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He won his first two matches but then lost his match in the semi-finals against Arvi Savolainen of Finland. In April 2021, Kakhelashvili won one of the bronze medals in the 97 kg event at the 2021 European Wrestling Championships held in Warsaw, Poland. In May 2021, he also failed to qualify for the Olympics at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Sofia, Bulgaria. In October 2021, Kakhelashvili lost his bronze medal match in the 97 kg event at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships held in Oslo, Norway.
