Judoka Maria Höllwart was the only Salzburger to represent the Austrian delegation in Abu Dhabi. The adventure ended early after the athlete from the Sanjindo Bischofshofen club lost in the first round against Hilal Ozturk from Turkey in the individual event.
The 24-year-old was eliminated early in the opening fight with a waza-ari score after a throw, the Austrian Judo Association announced in response to a request from SALZBURG24. On the sixth and final day of competition at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, the mixed team competition is scheduled for Friday. Austria is a big underdog in the first round against South Korea.
Fara secured a place at the Olympics despite leaving the World Cup early
Meanwhile, Aaron Fara secured a place for the Summer Olympics in Paris on Thursday at the Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi. The 26-year-old from Lower Austria only needed an opening win in the class up to 100 kilograms against the Italian Gennaro Pirelli. Due to this fact, the subsequent knockout in the second round against the top-seeded Canadian Shady Elnahas was bearable. Another athlete, Shamil Borchashvili, caused trouble in the ÖJV.
Fara had to undergo surgery on his meniscus three weeks ago. This makes him all the more pleased that he has qualified for the major event on French soil. “Aaron Fara’s performance so soon after his knee operation was positive. This meant that he was able to gain some competitive experience at a major event before Paris. The most important news is that his knee is holding up,” said ÖJV head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch. Otherwise, there was only negative news from an Austrian perspective on the fifth day of the World Championships.
Trouble at the ÖJV because of Shamil Borchashvili
Shamil Borchashvili caused more of a stir in an interview with the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten (OÖN), in which he said: “The decision has been made. Wachid will represent Austria at the Olympics.” Wachid Borchashvili is Shamil’s younger brother, and the ÖJV would reportedly prefer Shamil to compete in the 81 kg category in Paris due to the higher probability of success.
Both are in the qualifying spots, but Shamil, as third at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, is clearly ahead of Wachid. Since they are both fighting in the weight class up to 81 kg and only a maximum of one athlete per category and country is allowed to take part in the games, a decision has to be made. This is normally made by the professional association, with the red-white-red final decision being made by the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC). The “family council” has apparently now intervened with the Borchashvilis.
“We will only discuss the squad for Paris after the World Cup, when all the Olympic rankings have been updated, and then make decisions or consult with the Austrian Olympic Committee regarding nominations. We regret that Shamil Borchashvili has not adhered to internal agreements held,” said ÖJV President Martin Poiger in a statement to the APA – Austria Press Agency.
APA/EXPA/REINHARD EISENBAUER Maria Höllwart is the only woman from Salzburg to represent Austria at the Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi next week. (ARCHIVE IMAGE)
Pongauer before debut at the Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi
Now things are getting serious for Salzburg judoka Maria Höllwart. After the European Championships in Zagreb, the 24-year-old from Pongau will travel to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, where she will compete in the …
(Source: SALZBURG24)
2024-05-23 14:09:36
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