The 30th Mittersill Olympic Training Camp started here in the National Park capital on the 8th of the January and will continue throughout the rest of the week with 950 athletes from 50 nations, many off whom are the top performers in the world.
So of course the EJU couldn’t miss out on an opportunity to show just how picturesque Mittersill is, the unavoidable town that accesses the Upper Pinzgau. A selection of the worlds best were treated to a stunning view over the mountainous ridges, as if the winter-wonderland town isn’t beautiful enough.
With the Olympic Games practically on our doorstep, this is the traditional way for these athletes to get back on to the tatami before the IJF World Tour starts back up, kickstarting their 2024 season. One of those was current European Champion, Andreja LESKI of Slovenia who stated,
It’s good to turn the new page, new year brings the new challenges.
The rest of the team in the mountains included three members of the Austrian team; Aaron FARA, Michaela POLLERES and Magdalena KRSSAKOVA, and in addition, double world champion, Barbara MATIC (CRO), Manuel LOMBARDO (ITA) Sami CHOUCHI (BEL) as well as some Pan America additions, Olympic and world champion, Rafaela SILVA (BRA) and Hannah MARTIN (USA) who is currently based in Germany. David GARCIA TORNE (ESP) who landed on the senior circuit with a bang last year, was the final piece of the puzzle.
I’m really happy to be here in Mittersill, it is a really good training camp and I know I can have many good matches! After being away injured for two years, after the injury I had it so clear in my mind, and when I started I came back well, it gave me a lot of confidence for the next competitions. My biggest motivation is training, it’s what I really love and now I’m living my dream.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen