Elena Dengg withdrew from the International Judo Federation Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi after sustaining a left ankle injury during training, Judo Austria reported. The Austrian judoka, who competes in the under-78-kilogram division for JC Sanjindo Bischofshofen, pulled out of the tournament in Abu Dhabi to avoid compounding an injury ahead of the end of the season.
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Lineup Shrinks to Three Austrian Judoka
Head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch addressed the withdrawal by emphasizing caution for the young athlete. „Sicherheit geht vor: Es hätte keinen Sinn gemacht, zu Saisonende noch ein Verletzungsrisiko einzugehen,“ Snir-Bönisch stated, prioritizing safety and noting that risking an injury at the end of the competitive calendar made little sense. Judo Austria indicated that a potential return for Dengg at the Zagreb Grand Prix, which begins on November 13, remains under discussion depending on her recovery.”
Dengg’s absence leaves the Austrian Judo Federation with a three-athlete delegation in the United Arab Emirates. Lubjana Piovesana leads the remaining contingent as the fourth seed in the under-63-kilogram category. The 29-year-old competitor representing LZ Hohenems will begin her tournament in the second round against the winner of the match between Australia’s Maeve Coughlan and Kseniia Galitskaia.
Tough Openers Await Remaining Austrian Competitors
Thomas Scharfetter faces a demanding opening bout in the under-90-kilogram weight class. The competitor from JC Sanjindo Bischofshofen drew the second-seeded Czech judoka Adam Kopecky for his first match at the Abu Dhabi venue. In the over-100-kilogram division, Movli Borchashvilli of Sportzentrum Galaxy Tigers enters his opening match against Slovakia’s Marius Fizel carrying the tag of slight favorite.
Elena Rybakina was asked if her focus in 2027 will be completing the Career Grand Slam, ‘The job is never done to be honest’“You’ve gotten to world No. 1. You’ve won Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Going into 2027 is your focus gonna be on achieving that elusive… pic.twitter.com/lV5EXUVcos”
Competition across the three-day Grand Slam in the United Arab Emirates runs through October 31, serving as a key stop on the international tour before the mid-November events.
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