This weekend marks the end of an impressive era in the European Judo Union. Otto KNEITINGER (GER), 70, is leaving the European judo stage after 25 years and one month (+300 months, +9,100 days). During this quarter of a century, the Bavarian entrepreneur (master confectioner, hotel owner, Ippon Gear founder) and long-time TSV-Abensberg club manager served as EJU President, Vice President Marketing and Consultant.
“From now on, skiing and holidays in Tuscany are on my retirement programme. It’s the right time for change. I wish my successor Ivan Todorov and his team the best of luck. I would like to thank you for a very enjoyable, challenging and interesting time,” emphasised Otto Kneitinger at his last Executive Committee meeting in Budapest. “I have made many friends for life in these more than 25 years. And, of course, I still remain connected to judo.”
The EJU era of Otto Kneitinger began in October 1999. “Marius Vizer called me back then and asked me if I would stand as his Vice President for the EJU. And I spontaneously said yes.” Kneitinger gave his first speech as Vice President Marketing at the congress in Basel in January 2000. “It was my first presentation ever and I was incredibly nervous. I still think about that day today.”
For four years, a house in his home town of Abensberg served as the EJU headquarters, with the current IJF Head Referee Director Florin Daniel Lascau acting as Secretary General.
In February 2022, Otto Kneitinger stepped in as interim EJU President following the outbreak of the war of aggression in Ukraine, only to install László Tóth as President in June of the same year. “At the time, I had already announced that I would be leaving at the beginning of 2025. That was agreed with my family,” emphasises the father of three.
Instead of going to the Olympic Training Camp in Mittersill in January 2025, he will be skiing in Austria, more precisely in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. A holiday in Tuscany is planned for the spring. The 70-year-old marketing expert moved into a new house in Abensberg just in time for his retirement from EJU – with even more quality of life. “I’m going to enjoy my retirement to the full and hopefully I’ll stay as healthy as I am today for a long time to come.” Of course, it won’t be without judo after all…
“Over the last 25 years, Otto Kneitinger has played a key role in the development of the EJU, especially in the difficult last few years. We owe him a great debt of gratitude,” said IJF President Marius Vizer and EJU President László Tóth in unison.
Otto Kneitinger – facts & figures:
Born on 18 October 1954 in Abensberg/Bavaria, father of three (married to Luise Ostermeier since 1979, sons Sebastian, Andreas, Stefan), qualified master confectioner, ran various businesses (confectionery café, Altstadthotel, Adidas Martial Arts, Ippon Gear), active as a town councillor in Abensberg for more than 12 years, active member of the TSV Abensberg Bundesliga team for 10 years, Bundesliga representative in the German Judo Federation for 16 years, President of TSV Abensberg for 35 years, 25 years in the (voluntary) service of the EJU (as Vice President, Interim President, Consultant).
Author: EJU Media