At 30 years old, Olympic, world and European bronze medallist Shamil Borchashvili has announced his retirement from professional judo. Through a career spanning 2,909 days (7 years, 11 months), the Upper Austrian collected 13 international medals, including Olympic bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2021, world bronze in Tashkent in 2022, European bronze in Zagreb in 2024, as well as five grand slam silvers. He also celebrated tournament victories in Linz (2023) and Glasgow (2018).
Born in Chechnya, Borchashvili came to Austria as a refugee aged nine. “Judo has been my school of life. Without the sport and without my club LZ Multikraft Wels, I would not be who I am today, with my sporting successes and now an engineering degree,” he said.
Going forward, Borchashvili will study industrial engineering in Hamburg, give school workshops and continue as chair of the Borchashvili Combat Centre. “I had many mentors; now I want to be a mentor for the next generation. My message is simple: anyone can achieve great things if they believe in themselves.”
Polleres Ready for Tokyo Comeback
While Borchashvili steps away, Austria’s two-time Olympic and world championship medallist Michaela Polleres (-70 kg) is set to return. Absent for more than 400 days, since the Paris Olympics, the 28-year-old will make her comeback at December’s prestigious grand slam in Tokyo.
On the advice of head coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch, Polleres took a deliberate break to recharge after years of relentless competition. During that time she slipped from 3rd to 19th in the world rankings. “The rest did me the world of good and now I feel well rested and fully motivated,” she said.
In April she resumed full training, including randori sessions in Valencia, and will complete further camps in Slovakia and Serbia ahead of her return.
Judo Austria’s sport director Markus Moser said, “With Michi, we are undoubtedly a class stronger. She is a guarantee of medals and success.”
Her comeback comes at a crucial moment with Austria rebuilding after a medal-less season at the 2024 Europeans and worlds. Preparations have been restructured, focusing on strength, agility and speed. The Upper Austria Grand Prix in Linz (6th to 8th March 2026) will serve as the team’s key rehearsal ahead of Olympic qualification in June.
A New Chapter for Austrian Judo
ÖJV President Martin Poiger placed both milestones in perspective, “With Shamil, we are saying farewell to one of our most successful judoka of recent years, a true role model in and out of competition. At the same time, Michaela’s return gives us great optimism. Together, these two stories symbolise both continuity and renewal. It is the end of one remarkable career and the start of another exciting chapter for Austrian judo.”
Source: Judo Austria/Wolfgang Eichler Photos © Judo Austria/Manuel Rampl