From 8 to 16 January, the world’s judo elite will meet for the 30th time in MTTERSILL (AUT) in the Pinzgau region. The town of 5,000 inhabitants is expecting 902 judoka from 55 nations, including 90 Austrians. 29 training sessions will be offered in the 1,500 square metre dojo, which has been converted from a tennis hall. Participants will also have access to the swimming pool and gym at the Sporthotel Kogler. A trip to the snow? Possible at any time.
“The interest is correspondingly high, especially in an Olympic year. The countdown to the Olympic qualification and the Olympic Games in Paris begins in Mittersill. In total, we have no less than 9 Olympic champions from Tokyo and 4 current world champions from Doha as guests this year. The quality and quantity could not be greater,” emphasise ÖJV Sports Director Markus MOSER and local organiser Ali GMEINER.
The entire Olympic squad – including Tokyo medallists Michaela POLLERES and Shamil BORCHASHVILI – has been announced by the hosts. “At the moment, we would even qualify for Paris with the mixed team. The motivation to be among the eligible nations in June, at the end of the qualification period, is huge. That would be a small judo miracle,” hopes Markus Moser. It certainly won’t be down to the training facilities in Mittersill…
Author: EJU Media