The host country, Austria, is represented by 115 athletes, including two-time Olympic medallist Michaela Polleres, Lubjana Piovesana (5th place at the Paris 2024 Games), and junior world champion Elena Dengg. A total of 25 training sessions are on offer.
“Mittersill is not the biggest training camp in the world for nothing,” emphasises Austrian head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch. “Nowhere else will you meet so many top stars in one place. The atmosphere is unrivalled, not only because of the mountains, but also because the nervousness before the start of the season is currently still limited. Everyone has had a long break from competition and they’re looking forward to the upcoming tasks. This mood is infectious, in the most positive sense of the word.”
Austrian starlet Lubjana Piovesana has a similar view, “The training camp can't be topped. I appreciate the strong training partners and the wintry landscape. OTC Mittersill is simply perfect, the ideal preparation for the grand slam tournament in Baku in mid-February.“ The world number 6 (- 63 kg) will be the defending champion there.
Of course, before Baku we will arrive in Paris for our annual liaison at the Accor Arena Bercy. It will be the season opener and a spectacular one. Join the athletes live at the venue or follow online through our interactive platform, JudoTV.
Source: Wolfgang Eichler Copyright: Judo Austria/Oliver Sellner