Polleres Secures Home Victory at Linz Judo Grand Prix
LINZ, Austria – Michaela Polleres delivered a stunning performance on home soil, claiming gold at the Upper Austria Grand Prix in Linz on Saturday. The two-time Olympic medalist triumphed in the women’s -70kg category, marking the second time an Austrian judoka has won a World Tour title in Linz. Shamil Borchashvili first achieved this feat in the -81kg class in 2023.
Polleres defeated Switzerland’s April Lynn Fohouo in a thrilling final that went to Golden Score, securing victory with a perfectly executed Ippon. The win is particularly significant for Polleres, coming after a year-long hiatus from competition and while battling a cold, according to reports.
A Commanding Performance Throughout the Day
Ranked 16th in the world rankings and seeded fifth, Polleres showcased a clear upward trajectory throughout the tournament. Her path to the final included decisive victories over Anna Skalska of the Czech Republic, Great Britain’s Kelly Petersen-Pollard, and Germany’s Samira Bock. She entered the gold medal match as the favorite against Fohouo, the current Junior World Champion who recently finished second at the Paris Grand Slam.
The final was a tense affair. Fohouo received two warnings (Shido) early on, while Polleres had one. Polleres needed just 16 seconds in Golden Score to execute the winning throw, demonstrating her experience and technical prowess. The atmosphere in the hall was electric, with Polleres noting the incredible support from the crowd, her family, friends, and colleagues.
“The atmosphere in the hall was incredible. It’s very special to win in front of your home crowd – especially after the long break, and I am strongly affected by a cold. I struggled in the first fight but then it got better and better. In the final, I was very well prepared. I was the stronger fighter, the victory was only a matter of time,” Polleres said after the match, as reported by the European Judo Union.
Coaches Praise Polleres’ Resilience
Judo Austria head coach Yvonne Snir-Böhnisch lauded Polleres’ performance, emphasizing the challenges she overcame. “It is impressive how well Michi fought today. It is only her third tournament after more than a year’s break from competition and she had a cold too. Only an exceptional athlete like Michi can do that. Congratulations,” Snir-Böhnisch stated.
Judo Austria Sports Director Markus Moser echoed this sentiment, describing Polleres’ performance as “incredibly confident” and noting her dominance over Fohouo. However, Snir-Böhnisch also expressed some disappointment with the overall team performance, noting that 14 of the 15 Austrian competitors were eliminated before reaching the final block.
Mixed Results for the Austrian Team
While Polleres’ victory was a highlight, the day was not without its setbacks for the Austrian team. Bernd Fasching (-81kg), also seeded, lost his opening match to Vusal Galandarzade of Azerbaijan by Ippon. Magdalena Krssakova (-70kg), making a comeback appearance, and Samuel Gaßner (-73kg) also suffered early exits from the competition.
This Grand Prix in Linz served as a crucial event on the World Judo Tour, offering valuable ranking points and competitive experience for athletes preparing for upcoming international events. Polleres’ win is a significant boost for Austrian judo and a testament to her dedication and skill.
The victory marks Polleres’ third Grand Prix title, adding to her previous wins in Tashkent and Cancun in 2018, and her seventh medal on the World Judo Tour. It also solidifies her position as a leading contender in the -70kg category as she looks ahead to future competitions.
For Polleres, the win represents more than just a medal. it’s a powerful return to form after a challenging period. The support of the home crowd undoubtedly played a role, fueling her performance and contributing to a memorable victory in Linz.
What’s Next: Polleres is expected to continue her preparation for upcoming major championships, with details on her next competition to be announced by Judo Austria in the coming weeks. Fans can follow Judo Austria’s official channels for the latest updates on Polleres and the national team.
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