Camera is rolling – Judo Austria

20 minutes prime time. Also on a holiday. For Judo Austria head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch and Antalya Grand Slam winner Aaron Fara, a short visit to the Küniglberg in the ORF-Sport-am-Sonntag studio was due on Easter Sunday, shortly after 6:30 p.m. We have summarized the best quotes from the studio guests and the ÖJV protagonists in the almost five-minute intro:

ÖJV head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch on…

… the transformation of Aaron Fara: “We have always described him as a world champion in training who lacks the mental strength to compete. We also knew that he actually wanted to retire after Tashkent. Yes, he said that more than once, but this time he really meant it. Maybe he took a bit of the (own) pressure of expectations out for himself and was finally able to deliver. We knew that he had it in principle. He has been training with full commitment for half a year and has also changed his training. This is especially true for strength training – Michi Winkler created a new plan for him. There are also a few new stimuli, such as boxing training, for example. Aaron must never be bored, that’s important. Especially during longer training camps.”

… the secret of the recent Judo Austria successes: “The partial centralization on the Gugl certainly helped. We have been training together in Linz for at least three days a week since 2021. That brings us together. The atmosphere is really good, we try to respond to everyone as individually as possible. Aaron, for example, likes it when you give him a longer leash – i.e. a certain amount of freedom.”

… her coaching qualities as the first female head coach on the IJF World Tour: “From my personal point of view, my gender doesn’t play a major role in the coaching job, I would classify that as irrelevant. What I can say: I love my (coaching) job, I enjoy doing it. My focus is clearly on my athletes being as successful as possible. That’s my top priority and I think you can see that, and of course that’s well received by the team!”

… the most recent red-white-red success series: “When I started my job in January 2021, it was said: We finally want a medal again – at major events such as the Olympics, World Championships or European Championships and also on the World Tour at Grand Slam tournaments. The fact that we are now, in April 2023, with two Olympic and World Championship medals, one Masters victory and three Grand Slam gold medals makes us proud as a coaching team. This was not to be expected in this form!”

… the international perception of the Judo Team Austria: “Let’s put it this way: we’re back on the judo map – in two senses. On the one hand we are really competitive again, on the other hand there will finally be another World Tour tournament from May 25th to 27th after more than 20 years with the Upper Austrian Grand Prix in Linz. Judo Austria is perceived, perceived positively…”

… the requirement for the World Cup in Doha (May 7th – 14th): “Until now it was said: We want to come back with at least one medal. Before Michi took bronze at the World Championships in June 2021, we waited eleven years for a medal. At the Olympics, the dry spell lasted even longer. Now, for Doha, our aim is: we are aiming for two medals. We have 9 (individual) starters, 4 of them – with Michaela Polleres, Aaron Fara, Shamil and Wachid Borchashvili – can realistically calculate medal chances. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris we are hoping for 5 or 6 individual starters.”

Aaron Fara, 25, JC Wimpassing Sparkasse/Lower Austria, No. 22 in the world – 100 kg, No. 13 in the Olympic ranking, over…

…Grand Slam gold and silver in the last two tournaments after a dry spell of almost four years: “In Tashkent I was already thinking about how I’m going to give Yvonne a clean break the next day, that I have to draw a line after all the defeats and failures, that it doesn’t make sense to continue. The Grand Prix in February in Almada (POR) was the absolute low point. I was in great shape, but then I lost miserably, I can’t think of another word, Miserable, that’s exactly it. I know I’ve said more than once that I’m giving up. But this time it wasn’t a story, but absolute seriousness. It was just crazy that things went so well the next day, that I made it into the final. I didn’t expect that myself.”

… newly gained strengths: “I’m going to be more uncompromising about it now. That starts with training. To be honest, my strength training was just stupid, I was just looking for my upper body to get even stronger, broader. With Michi Winkler, I’ve actually developed physically in every area. Of course, that also helps me mentally – I’m stronger and I feel stronger too.”

… family challenges: “Admittedly, this is a very emotional topic for me: fortunately my sister and my mum are doing a little better after two complicated operations. I shouldn’t talk about it too much, Mama asked me before the show. My sister’s healing process is difficult and slow, she goes through a lot of physiotherapy sessions. Unfortunately, it’s also a bumpy road for mom. I can only hope that things will gradually improve and that she will stay with us (healthily) for a very long time to come.”

… the atmosphere in the ÖJV national team: “Our women, like Michi, Magda, have been successful for a long time. With us men, the mood after the Olympics went uphill very steeply. Shamil’s bronze medal showed us that we, as Austrians, are also good for medals at the World Championships. That wasn’t the case for a long time before. Shamil proved that we can be successful. And we are all very happy that Yvonne came. She makes the difference.”

… his position, his role in the team: “I think I’m the storyteller, the fun factor in the group.”

… increased expectations for the World Cup in Doha: “I’ve always said: My absolute dream would be the world title and a red shirt number with my name on it. My specific goal is to continue fighting without compromises.”

… the art of staying grounded despite success: “We just have to look to Michi (Michaela Polleres), who shows us how it’s done. What she has already won for medals and still remained extremely down-to-earth and normal is remarkable. All attention!”

…. the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris: “A month ago, Paris wasn’t an issue for me. I didn’t see a chance. Now I’ve scored so many points in Tashkent and Antalya that things are looking really good. I would be extremely happy if I could be there.”

Vice European Champion Magdalena Krssakova on…

… the training under Yvonne Snir-Bönisch: “She knows exactly how to deal with each of us. With Aaron, she knew he had what it takes, he had what it takes to be hugely successful. And she gave him that trust, never let him down.”

… the unexpected successes of Aaron Fara: “Aaron has expressed his thoughts of resignation very openly and has made absolutely no secret of it. It’s nice to see that he coped well with all these defeats. He’s had a really tough, difficult time.”

… her roommate and training partner Michaela Polleres: “She mostly waits, fights incredibly calmly and efficiently. When she attacks, she usually scores as well. I hardly know any other athlete with her skills. Michi is just great.”

ÖJV President Martin Poiger on…

… the self-perception (in the association) of the most recent successes: “Yvonne manages to mold all of the individual characters into a common team. She has a very analytical approach and knows from her own experience what it takes to be successful. She also conveys that.”

… the brother duel – 81 kg between Shamil and Wachid Borchashvili: “As president of the association, I would like to have two judoka in almost every weight class who fight for the Olympic limit and push each other. Competition stimulates business. As a team, we are of course more self-confident now thanks to our recent successes. Confidence has increased. We want two World Championship medals in Doha – we’ve never communicated it so boldly beforehand. But that is quite realistic, I would say.”

... the Russia question – whether Russian/Belarusian athletes are allowed to start at the World Championships or the Olympics: “This cause is the worst sports policy dilemma that we have had in recent years. I understand both sides – for and against. For the IOC and also the ÖOC it is understandable that they argue that athletes should not be discriminated against because of their passport. Translated into judo: Putin was honorary president of judo, and our sport has benefited from his support for many years. All Russian judoka are members of the army or police and as such have a close affinity with Putin. So at the moment I personally can’t imagine them starting at the World Cup or in Paris. But the IJF has not made a decision yet.”