Since 2021 Austria's best judoka have been training three days a week at Linz Gugl in the Olympic Centre. As of now, the city is once again part of the IJF World Judo Tour calendar, as the Upper Austria Judo Grand Prix 2023 takes place from 25th to 27th May in the TipsArena, not to mention that in 2023 and 2024, the red-white-red judo top event also counts towards Olympic qualification for the summer Olympic Games Paris 2024.
"We want to bring major sporting events to Upper Austria in the long term and we have succeeded in doing so here. It is a great opportunity to project positive sporting and touristic images of Upper Austria throughout the world. Upper Austria will be a warm host as usual," says Markus Achleitner, Upper Austrian Minister of Sport and Economic Affairs. At least 400 judoka from 50 nations are expected. The TV signal will be transmitted live to 190 countries. "We will welcome a total of 800 people to the tournament and expect more than 2,000 overnight stays in Linz," believes Martin Poiger, the Austrian Judo Federation President.
After a total break of 17 years, the international judo scene is returning to Upper Austria. From 1980 to 2006, Leonding was the venue of a World Cup A tournament. In the last 12 years Oberwart in Burgenland was the host of European Opens. Now, for the first time in more than 20 years, they are first class again, with a grand prix tournament at World Judo Tour level.
"We have made a very good name for ourselves as organisers of European Tour events, in Oberwart. However, it was clear from the beginning that we needed a new venue for the IJF World Judo Tour. Linz is the absolute dream solution for us. Our national team trains on the Gugl and most of our national coaches live in Linz. What we were missing was a World Tour event," says Martin Poiger.
National coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch is clearly looking forward to the event, "At a home tournament we can also test our young talents at World Judo Tour level, since we are entitled to four starting places per weight class. We hope our top aces like Michaela Polleres and Shamil Borchashvili will be able to collect as many world ranking and Olympic qualification points as possible in front of their home crowd. Of course, we are happy when international top stars can also be seen with us."
Manfred Reisinger, President of the Upper Austrian Federation is expecting a rush of spectators, "We will certainly be able to welcome thousands of fans in Linz. Upper Austria is not considered a judo stronghold for nothing, with traditional clubs like Fairdrive Leonding, UJZ Mühlviertel, JT Salzkammergut or Multikraft Wels."
Facts and figures about the tournament:
- The Upper Austrian Grand Prix is the second of a total of four grand prix tournaments in 2023 after Almada (POR) and before Dushanbe (TJK) and Zagreb (CRO). In addition, a total of 10 grand slams will take place this year, plus the World Judo Masters and of course the upcoming world championships, making a total of 16 IJF World Judo Tour tournaments.
- The Upper Austrian Grand Prix will be the first international competition after the World Championships in Doha.
- The last comparable World Judo Tour event in Austria took place 21 years ago in Linz-Leonding (Grand-Prix Austria 2001).
- Local organisers Judo Austria expect about 400 participants from 50 nations to take part in the grand prix.
- The capacity of the hall is set at 1,500 people per day for the three days of the tournament but it can be increased at any time and at short notice to up to 9,000.
- The IJF is counting on a TV production with no less than 15 cameras. ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk, Austrian national public broadcaster) has secured the World Judo Tour rights.
- Austria's top stars Michaela Polleres, currently No. 3 in the world (-70 kg), and Shamil Borchashvili who is No. 9 at-81kg, will lead the ÖJV line-up.
- Teddy Riner has been on the entry list for the Upper Austria Grand Prix in Linz since the end of April. He is one of three French mixed team Olympic champions, alongside Madeleine Malonga and Axel Clerget, who are scheduled to fight in Linz. ÖJV President Martin Poiger said, "Teddy is a shining light and a force of nature. At the Bercy, during his home victory, the hall literally shook. That someone like him will come to Linz is like winning the lottery!"