Austria is participating in the Judo World Cup in Budapest with four fighters each. Including, of course, all six who are currently in the ranking positions that would mean participating in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The ÖJV has been waiting for a World Cup medal since 2010 – Bernadette Graf (up to 78 kg) was successful with bronze at the European Championships in Lisbon in April. ORF Sport + shows the World Cup live every day (from 5 p.m.).
In the women’s category, Michaela Polleres is best placed in the Olympic ranking as seventh in the class up to 70 kg. Magdalena Krssakova (up to 63 kg) and Graf are each in 16th position. Sabrina Filzmoser (up to 57 kg) is 31st and would be part of the continental quota in Japan. In the men’s category, Stephan Hegyi (over 100) ranks 20th, Shamil Borchashvili (up to 81) ranked 22nd.
The final accounts will be settled on June 28th, but there will of course be many more points to be won at the World Cup. Significant shifts are still possible, because only the top 18 in each category in the adjusted ranking (one quota place per nation) are firmly qualified for Japan.
Also Fara and Allerstorfer there
“The six who are currently qualified for the Olympic Games will start in Budapest. Then there is Aaron Fara, who is fighting for his last chance in Tokyo. Daniel Allerstorfer recommended himself for the World Cup with his seventh place at the EM in Lisbon. His form curve is increasing, ”said ÖJV head coach Yvonne Bönisch, explaining the nomination.
Fara is currently in 44th place in the class up to 100 kg. Allerstorfer has in the category over 100 (38th) with Hegyi a much better placed internal competitor in terms of the Olympic quota place.
Two major events in two months
Austria’s national team recently completed an international training camp in Lignano. The fact that, with the World Cup and the Summer Games, two major events take place within two months also influences the preparation.
“If you want to be in top form at the Olympics, you can’t be at one hundred percent six weeks before that. We will have to live with that. But all nations have the problem, ”said Bönisch. Nevertheless, she is convinced that Budapest has a good chance of a medal. “I would like as many of our team as possible to gain confidence in Tokyo with good fights.”
