THE COACH SURPRISED EVERYONE

The 1.500 spectators within the TipsArena in LINZ (AUT) had been handled to a large number of emotion at the first day of the Higher Austria Open. IJF athlete spokesperson and local weather ambassador Sabrina FILZMOSER (-57), 42, competed for Judo Austria squad for the final tim eand celebrated a miles acclaimed first spherical victory in opposition to Maysa PARDAYEVA (TKM). In spherical two she was once eradicated via Hasret BOZKURT (TUR).
Bernadette GRAF (-70), who introduced her retirement only some days in the past, was once officialy followed via the native organizers. The 30-year-old Tyrolean received 5 Ecu Championship bronze medals and celebrated a minimum of 139 victories in 218 fights, 81 of them via Ippon. “My again is not cooperating.
It’s the very best time for me to forestall. Remaining week I took my final examination within the police coaching. Subsequent week I can be on accountability for the primary time. I’m taking a look ahead to the brand new segment of my lifestyles,” Graf stated.

The wearing tale of the day for hosts Austria was once made via Florian DOPPELHAMMER (AUT/-66), who made his International Excursion debut on the age of 33. In fact, the native hero from the UJZ Mühlviertel
(no longer a long way from Linz) works as a countrywide trainer and judo trainer. On the
Grand Prix in Linz, ÖJV head trainer Yvonne SNIR-BÖNISCH gave him an surprising probability.
“I didn’t be expecting anymore so as to compete on a world degree .
on a large degree once more. As of late, ahead of the beginning of the contest, I’d had been
happy with only one win,” Florian confessed afterwards. In any case
he was once the most efficient Austrian in 5th position – because of this that he’s now an reputable
Nationwide Group A squad athlete. “Florian stunned us all,” emphasised Snir-Bönisch.

As anticipated, the host didn’t have a lot to do with the struggle for victory or the medals. Within the duel for bronze, Doppelhammer misplaced to the upper rated Spaniard Alberto Gaitero Martin, No. 18 on the planet ratings, after 27 seconds (with a stranglehold). After all, this didn’t trade the jubilation about his “special occasion”.
The global headlines had been shared via 5 protagonists from 5 other international locations. Europe might be satisfied a few overall of 4 titles. The victory of Pleuni CORNELISSE (NED/-57) got here as a wonder. The 23-year-old Dutchwoman accomplished her first countable lead to over a 12 months and a complete of 11 tournaments. Within the semifinals the arena quantity 38 defeated former international champion Daria BILODID (UKR), within the ultimate she stored the higher hand in opposition to Leija BALLHAUS (GER).

Junior International Championship bronze medallist Roman VALADIER PICARD (FRA/-60) put an exclamation mark at the match. The 20-year-old celebrated 5 wins in a row and received his first gold medal at the International Excursion.
Rio Olympic champion Fabio BASILE (ITA/-66) was once happy with 3rd position after recuperating from shoulder surgical procedure. “I’m happy, it’s going higher from week to week. I think truly comfy in my former weight magnificence.” The victory went to David GARCIA TORNE (ESP). The fourth Ecu gold medal was once supplied via Marusa STANGAR (SLO), who celebrated her 2d Grand Prix victory after a five-year ruin (Tbilisi 2018).
Petros CHRISTODOULIDES (CYP) ensured a ancient luck. The 18-year-old took the primary IJF Grand Prix medal for the island country with 3rd position.