Image: GEPA pictures/Christian Moser (GEPA pictures)
For Florian Doppelhammer it is quite convenient that the European Judo Championships take place from Friday to Sunday in Montpellier after the autumn holidays.
This gave the sports coordinator at Linz’s Georg-von-Peuerbach-Gymnasium more time to prepare for his first European Championship. Despite his debut, the Feldkirchner, at almost 34 years old, is the oldest in Austria’s 15-man European Championship squad.
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He didn’t really expect it anymore, says Doppelhammer, who made a name for himself this year with his surprising fifth place at the home Grand Prix in Linz. As a national judo coach, his focus is very much on advancing the next generation, but he didn’t want to miss his late opportunity at the European Championships.
“Otherwise I would bite myself in the ass if I looked back in 20 years and asked myself what it would have been like,” says the UJZ Mühlviertel fighter, who will hit the mat on Friday up to 66 kilograms.
Green light for Wachid Borchashvili
In addition to him, there are three other Upper Austrians in the squad: Daniel Leutgeb from Wels (up to 60/Friday) and Shamil and Wachid Borchashvili (both up to 81/Saturday), although Wachid’s appearance was a question mark due to an ankle injury.
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An MRI gave the all-clear this week. “From a medical point of view, starting is not a problem. The ankle is feeling much better,” says the 25-year-old.
Aside from the two brothers, Michaela Polleres (up to 70), Aaron Fara (up to 100) and Lubyana Piovesana (up to 63) are considered the greatest Austrian hopes for a European Championship medal.
This is Austria’s European Championship squad (click to the right below):
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