Austrian judoka Michaela Polleres advanced to the 70 kg semifinals at the World Judo Championships in Baku, securing a guaranteed opportunity to contend for a medal after defeating Russia’s Madina Taimasowa in Pool C.
Path to the Semifinals in Baku
Polleres navigated through Pool C with four victories on Thursday. Her run opened with a win against America’s Melissa Myers, followed by victories over Australia’s Aoife Coughlan and South Korea’s Yerang Lee. She clinched the pool title by defeating Madina Taimasowa. Standing between the 29-year-old Austrian and a spot in the final is Germany’s Giovanna Scoccimarro, who awaits her in the semifinal round.
Polleres Returns to Judo After 500 Day Break
The semifinal appearance arrives following a lengthy break from judo. Polleres stepped away for 500 days before staging her comeback in December 2025, returning to the team with renewed enthusiasm.
“The break was very important and really did me good,” Polleres said of her hiatus. “If I had kept training and traveling right away, I don’t know if I would have held out for another four years.”
While her fundamental fighting style remains unchanged, the time away allowed her to incorporate new tactics and techniques. “You keep developing,” she noted. “I have a new technique that I’m trying more often now, but that takes time.”
Stakes for Olympic Qualification and Rankings
Beyond the immediate world championship medals, Polleres is competing for crucial ranking points necessary for Olympic qualification. Improving her position in the international standings is essential to secure a seeded status.
“There are still a few points missing before you can say you just look at who you’re fighting,” Polleres explained regarding the qualifying pressure. “It’s not a given that I’ll go to the Olympics now. I have to qualify again. I can’t say it’ll happen by itself.”
A strong finish in Baku provides vital momentum toward that goal, with participation in the Masters tournament scheduled for December offering another key opportunity to accumulate ranking points.
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