Sabrina Filzmoser returns from the judo pension

“I consider it a great gift that I can start in Linz,” said Sabrina Filzmoser on Tuesday, the first anniversary of her Mount Everest ascent, why she decided to take part in the home from May 25th to 27th in the Tips Arena -Grand-Prix returns from judo retirement.

After passing the police service exam last Thursday (“It took a huge load off my heart”), the 42-year-old knew that she didn’t want to miss the home event. She was the only one in the 42-man Austrian squad to have experienced the previous tournament, which was held in Leonding from 1980 to 2006, and won it in 2005: “Winning in front of my family and friends is one of the most emotional victories of my career.”

For the ÖJV team, which is filled with young hopes, the date only ten days after the World Cup offers a good opportunity to make a name for itself internationally. “Because many of the absolute world-class people are taking a break after the World Cup,” explains head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch, who is worried. Michaela Polleres has knee pain again after bronze at the World Championships, Lubjana Piovesana, fifth at the World Championships, suffered a torn ligament in his elbow and Grand Slam winner Aaron Fara is having problems with a rib. Wachid Borchashvili gave the all-clear: A knee MRI revealed only a strain, which is why there is nothing standing in the way of a fraternal duel in Linz against Shamil for the time being.