Is it the Olympic year or the ongoing qualification for Paris tickets or the more than successful premiere last year, when stars like double Olympic champion Lukas Krpalek (CZE) or former world champion Anna-Maria Wagner (GER) praised the atmosphere and the organization sang? The entry deadline for the Upper Austria Judo Grand Prix in the TipsArena in Linz (March 8th – 10th) is still four days away – until February 29th. But the decision to upgrade from three to four competition mats was definitely the right one. The number of participants from the premiere GP last May (455 judoka from 72 nations) has already been pulverized this year. There are currently 544 entries from 77 nations. In addition to organizer Judo Austria (34 active participants), France (28), Germany (22), Brazil (20) and Spain (18) make up the largest contingents.
The most relevant figures and facts about the Upper Austria Grand Prix:
- The budget for the Upper Austria Grand Prix – part of the IJF World Tour – amounts to €1.1 million.
- Upper Austria GP day passes are available from 15 euros, three-day passes from 30 euros.
- With Sanne Van Dijke (NED/-70) and Francisco Garrigos (ESP/-60) there are two world number one in the starting field. Double Olympic champion and defending champion Lukas Krpalek (CZE/+100) has already confirmed his attendance.
- Currently (as of February 25th) six Austrians are seeded: Michaela Polleres (-70/JC Sparkasse Wimpassing/NÖ/2), Katharina Tanzer (-48/SU Noricum Leibnitz/ST/4), Lubjana Piovesana (-63/ LZ Hohenems/V), Shamil Borchashvili (-81/LZ Multikraft Wels/OÖ/2), Aaron Fara (-100/JC Sparkasse Wimpassing/NÖ/2) and Wachid Borchashvili (-81/LZ Multikraft Wels/OÖ/4) .
- Last year, host Austria took eighth place in the medal table (among 72 nations) with 1 x gold (Shamil Borchashvili/-81) and 1 x bronze (Thomas Scharfetter/-90). Sports director Markus Moser and head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch agree: “We should definitely be able to top that this year!”
- IJF President Marius Vizer and General Secretary Vlad Marinescu are expected in Linz.
2024-02-25 16:55:57
#Recordbreaking #Judo #Austria
