European Judo Championships: Austrian Athletes Compete in Berlin and Skopje
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Berlin recently hosted the Junior European Judo Championships, where young judokas from across the continent showcased their skills. Following closely on the heels of the World Cup in Budapest, the Berlin event saw strong performances, including two seventh-place finishes for Austria. Concurrently,preparations are underway in Skopje for the European titles at the cadet level,although,unluckily,no judokas from Vienna qualified to participate.
Austrian Performances at the Junior European Championships in Berlin
The Junior European Judo Championships in Berlin featured 544 judokas from 34 countries. Carina Klaus-Sternwieser (up to 52 kg) from Reichraming and Helena Rottenhofer (ju Flachgau/up to 63 kg) represented Austria. Jael Wernert (Vienna Samurai / up to 70 kg) made a successful comeback after an injury break,finishing unofficially in ninth place. National coach Michael Winkler praised Wernert’s brave performance, noting that she narrowly missed a top 7 placement. Leonie Bayr, also from Vienna Samurai (up to 63 kg), secured one win and suffered one defeat.
Did You know? Judo was first introduced as an Olympic sport for men in 1964 at the Tokyo Games. Women’s Judo became an official Olympic sport in 1992 [[1]].
Men’s Under-21 Judo results
Among the male under-21 judokas, Alexander Bluhme (Su Karuna Vienna / up to 66 kg) achieved the best result for Austria.He secured victories against competitors from the Netherlands and Denmark before being defeated by Bruno Nobrega of Brazil, who is ranked number 2 in the IJF Junior Ranking.Mathis Scheurich (Galaxy / up to 81 kilos) exited the competition with two defeats, mirroring the experience of other Austrian participants who managed only a single victory at best.
Despite the efforts of the Austrian team, the tournament marked the first time in three under-21 tournaments this year (following Lignano and Graz) that Austria did not secure a medal. Ronald Pöll had previously won a bronze medal in Graz three weeks prior. National coach Winkler remains optimistic, stating, “Some of the defeats were vrey close. I am confident that our talents will be back on the podium at the next tournaments.” France (3/2/2) led the medal count in Berlin, followed by Germany (2/1/2) and Azerbaijan (1/4/4). A total of eleven countries secured at least one class victory.
Cadet European Championships in Skopje
Following the Junior European Championships, the focus shifts to Skopje, where the under-18-year-olds will compete for European titles. unfortunately, no judokas from Vienna will participate, as none met the required qualification standards.
Pro Tip: To improve your judo skills, focus on consistent training, technique refinement, and strategic competition readiness.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 | Germany | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | Azerbaijan | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
What are the key factors that contribute to success in international judo competitions? How can young athletes better prepare for qualification tournaments?
The Evolution of judo in Europe
Judo, originating in Japan, has become a prominent sport across Europe, with numerous countries investing in training programs and infrastructure to support their athletes. The European Judo Union (EJU) plays a crucial role in organizing competitions and promoting the sport at all levels. The increasing competitiveness of European judokas on the world stage reflects the growing popularity and dedication to judo within the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judo Competitions
What are the weight categories in judo competitions?
judo competitions are divided into various weight categories for both men and women, ensuring fair competition among athletes of similar size and strength.
How is scoring determined in a judo match?
Scoring in judo is based on the quality and effectiveness of throws,holds,and submissions. Ippon is the highest score,resulting in an immediate win.
What is the role of the referee in a judo match?
The referee oversees the match, ensuring fair play, awarding scores, and intervening when necessary to protect the safety of the athletes.
Stay tuned for more updates on European judo and follow the journey of these talented athletes. Share this article and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
