Young judokas from ASVÖ Judoclub Friedberg-Pinggau secured five podium finishes and two fifth-place results at the 2nd Gerald-Brunnegger Memorial Tournament in Köflach, Austria, led by U12 gold medalist Oskar Thiem under coach Alexander Krausler.
Tournament Opening Set in Köflach
Returning to the mat after the summer break brings distinct challenges for youth competitors, yet the squad from Friedberg-Pinggau immediately established a competitive rhythm in Köflach. Seven athletes competed under coach Alexander Krausler, producing a strong medal haul that validated their training regimen heading into the autumn schedule.
Early Success in the Younger Age Divisions
In the U8 category, Lorenz Pötz and David Sipos-Márton showed their potential by competing through a deep and balanced field to claim bronze medals with determined performances. The momentum continued into the U10 division, where Felix Simon secured the silver medal following a series of sharp matches. Teammate Toni Krausler added to the club’s celebrations on his birthday by deploying tactical awareness to win the bronze-medal bout.
Oskar Thiem Claims Gold in the U12 Category
The standout performance for Friedberg-Pinggau came in the U12 bracket through Oskar Thiem. Thiem dominated his weight division, leaving his opponents with no openings and finishing every match with a decisive Ippon to capture the tournament title. In the same division, Sophie Sipos-Márton opened with a narrow defeat in the golden score period and later dropped a tight contest for third place, finishing fifth overall in a performance that highlighted her competitive resilience.
Coach Krausler Assesses the Squad’s Readiness
Reflecting on the results, coach Alexander Krausler pointed to the collective output of the traveling group as evidence of steady development. Seven starters yielding five podium finishes and two fifth-place positions confirmed that the club remains on the right path following the summer break.
Preparation for the Styrian Championships
The youth competitors face a compressed training window before their next major test. The Styrian championships are scheduled for October, and the squad will carry the confidence gained in Köflach directly into the regional tournament preparations.
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