Austria is home to some of the world’s best judo players. This small European country has produced some of the top contenders in the sport, ranging from Olympic medalists to world champions.
Famous Austrian judokas include Olympians Ludwig Paischer, Andreas Berger, and Michaela Polleres, as well as world champions Peter Seisenbacher, Robert Pfeiffer, and Martin Hoellwarth.
These top judokas have each achieved great success in the sport and have created a strong legacy for Austrian judo.
1. Sabrina Filzmoser
Sabrina Filzmoser is an exceptional athlete from Austria who made a name for herself in the sport of judo. She is a two-time bronze medalist at the World Judo Championships and has added to her collection of medals with two golds from the European Judo Championships.
She has also made history by competing at the Summer Olympics four times, in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. Filzmoser’s success in judo is impressive, and her presence at four Olympic Games is a testament to her hard work and dedication.
She has achieved many accomplishments in her judo career, from winning medals at the World and European Judo Championships to competing at the Olympic Games.
She has set an example for younger athletes, showing that it is possible to reach the highest level in a sport with hard work and determination. Her accomplishments will surely be remembered for years to come.
2. Bernadette Graf
Bernadette Graf is an Austrian judoka, a practitioner of judo, a sport that originated in Japan in the 19th century.
Graf is a highly accomplished judoka, having represented Austria at two Olympic Games: the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
At the 2016 Olympics, Graf competed in the Women’s 63 kg category, and at the 2020 Olympics she competed in the Women’s 57 kg category.
Graf has achieved great success in judo, winning gold medals at the 2015 European Judo Championships, the 2020 European Judo Open, and the 2021 European Judo Open.
Additionally, Graf has won silver medals at the 2019 European Judo Championships and the 2021 European Judo Championships. Her achievements demonstrate her impressive skill and dedication to the sport of judo, and she is an inspiration for athletes everywhere.
3. Michaela Polleres
Michaela Polleres is an accomplished judoka from Austria. In 2021, she made history by earning the silver medal in the women’s 70 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
This remarkable feat was only the beginning of her successful career. Polleres is also a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Judo Championships and the 2018 European Judo Championships.
Her talent and dedication have enabled her to achieve a third-degree black belt, which is the highest level of achievement in judo. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious “Judo Queen” title from the Austrian Judo Federation, as well as the Austrian Federal Cross of Merit.
She is a role model to many aspiring judokas, showing that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
4. Shamil Borchashvili
Shamil Borchashvili is an Austrian judoka. He is a highly accomplished martial artist, having achieved the rank of first-degree black belt. This means that he has dedicated himself to the practice of judo for a long time and has attained an excellent level of skill.
His black belt is a symbol of his hard work and dedication to the art and is a sign of respect and admiration from his peers. Judo is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes self-defense and the use of technique, rather than brute strength, to defeat an opponent.
It involves a lot of training and practice, and those who are awarded a black belt have achieved a high level of proficiency.
It is a mark of excellence and is only given to those who have completely mastered the techniques of judo. Shamil Borchashvili is one such individual, having worked hard to reach the level of first-degree black belt.
He has dedicated himself to the study and practice of judo and has earned the respect of his peers. His black belt is a testament to his commitment and dedication to the art, and is a symbol of his excellence.
5. Magdalena Krssakova
Magdalena Krssakova is a talented judoka from Austria. She recently achieved a great success by winning the silver medal in the women’s 63 kg event at the 2020 European Judo Championships, which took place in Prague, Czech Republic.
It was a remarkable accomplishment, considering the high level of competition at the event. Krssakova has been competing in judo for many years and has become one of the top athletes in her weight class.
She trains hard and has a strong commitment to her sport, which has paid off in the form of her impressive medal haul. She has also been successful in international tournaments, having competed in various championships throughout Europe.
Krssakova is an inspiration to other judokas, showing that hard work and dedication can lead to success. Her victory at the 2020 European Judo Championships is a testament to her skill and dedication, and it is sure to serve as an example for other judokas in the future.
She is an example of what it takes to succeed in judo, and her success will continue to inspire others to reach their goals.
6. Ludwig Paischer
Ludwig Paischer is an Austrian judoka, a martial artist who practices judo. He is originally from Austria, but currently he lives in Japan, where he has been for some time. Japan is the birthplace of judo, and it is a popular sport there.
Ludwig Paischer is an experienced judoka and he is well-respected in the martial arts community. He has won numerous competitions and has trained many students in judo.
He is an ambassador for the sport, and his travels to Japan have given him the chance to experience the culture and traditions of the country. Ludwig Paischer is dedicated to judo and has made a name for himself in the martial arts world.
He is an example of how dedication and hard work can lead to success.
7. Kathrin Unterwurzacher
Kathrin Unterwurzacher is an Austrian judoka who participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was part of the women’s 63 kg event, which is a weight class in judo.
During her time in the event, she managed to make it to the repechage rounds, where she was unfortunately eliminated by Anicka van Emden of the Netherlands. Kathrin Unterwurzacher has been involved in the sport of judo for quite some time now.
She has competed in multiple tournaments and events and has won multiple medals. Her impressive skills and determination have earned her the respect of her peers and judo fans.
The 2016 Summer Olympics was a great opportunity for Kathrin Unterwurzacher to showcase her talent on the world stage. She was able to make it to the repechage rounds, where she had a chance to advance further in the competition.
However, she was eliminated by Anicka van Emden of the Netherlands, who was the eventual gold medal winner in the event. Although Kathrin Unterwurzacher was not able to win a medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, she can still be proud of her performance.
She managed to make it to the repechage rounds, which is an accomplishment in itself. She is an inspiration for aspiring judokas, and her dedication and determination continue to be an example for athletes all over the world.
8. Stephan Hegyi
Stephan Hegyi is an Austrian judoka, a martial artist who specializes in the Japanese sport of judo. Hegyi is a world-renowned black belt judoka and has achieved success in both judo competitions and international tournaments.
Hegyi’s judo career began in his native Austria, where he trained and competed at the highest levels of the sport. Hegyi has achieved numerous titles and awards, including gold medals at the European Championships and the World Judo Championships.
Hegyi is well-known for his dynamic judo style and his commitment to excellence in the sport. Hegyi has also served as a judo coach and mentor to many aspiring judokas and is a passionate advocate of the sport.
Stephan Hegyi is an inspiring figure in the world of judo, and his accomplishments are an example of what dedication and hard work can achieve.
9. Daniel Allerstorfer
Daniel Allerstorfer is a judoka from Austria who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men’s 100 kg event. Unfortunately, his Olympic debut was short-lived as he was eliminated in the first round by Renat Saidov.
Two years after his Olympic debut, in the spring of 2018, Allerstorfer suffered a double herniated disc, a condition that occurs when the soft tissue between the vertebrae in the spine becomes damaged and swollen.
This can lead to a lot of pain and discomfort, as well as limited mobility. As a result, Allerstorfer was unable to continue his judo training and had to take a break from the sport until he was fully recovered.
Fortunately, Allerstorfer was able to make a full recovery and eventually returned to judo training. He has since gone on to compete in several international tournaments and is currently ranked among the top judokas in the world.
10. Norbert Haimberger
Norbert Haimberger is an Austrian athlete who specializes in the martial art of judo. He was among the many judoka who participated in the men’s lightweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
A native of Vienna, Austria, Haimberger has been competing in judo tournaments since he was a young boy.
He has won numerous medals in both national and international competitions throughout his career, including a gold medal at the 1991 European Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. At the 1992 Summer Olympics, he was one of the leading competitors in the lightweight division.
Despite his best efforts, Haimberger ultimately did not win a medal at the 1992 Olympics. However, he is still remembered as a talented judoka who gave his all in the pursuit of excellence.
11. Ernst Hofer
Ernst Hofer is a retired Austrian judoka who achieved significant success and recognition during his career in the sport. He was born in Austria and began his judo training at a young age at his local dojo.
As his skills progressed, he started competing in regional, national and international tournaments. Hofer eventually won multiple medals at the European Judo Championships, including a gold medal in 1984.
He also competed in the World Judo Championships, where he earned a silver medal in 1988. In addition, he competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. Hofer’s success in judo earned him the title of “Austrian Judo Champion” in 1984 and 1985.
He also gained recognition as a coach, training many of the top judo athletes in Austria. Upon his retirement from judo in 1989, Hofer was inducted into the Austrian Judo Hall of Fame. Hofer remains an influential figure in the Austrian judo community.
He is still active in the sport, providing private coaching sessions and attending tournaments as a spectator. He also serves as an ambassador for the sport, inspiring young judokas to strive for excellence.
Ernst Hofer is truly a remarkable figure in the history of Austrian judo.
12. Claudia Heill
Claudia Heill was an accomplished Austrian judoka. She was a highly respected athlete in her field and was well-known for her achievements.
Heill won the silver medal in the half-middleweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympics, making her one of the most successful judokas in Austria.He still had a long and successful career in judo.
She was an active competitor at the European Judo Championships, having won the gold medal in the lightweight division in 1999.
She also had a successful career at the World Judo Championships, having won the bronze medal in the half-middleweight division in 1999 and again in 2002. Heill’s Olympic success in 2004 was one of her greatest achievements.
She was a member of the Austrian judo team, and she fought her way to the silver medal in the half-middleweight division. This made her the first Austrian judoka to win a medal in the Olympics since 1988. Heill’s success did not stop there.
She continued to compete in international judo and won multiple medals at the European and World Judo Championships.
She was also a successful coach, training a number of athletes who have won medals in international competitions. Claudia Heill was a true inspiration for judo competitors in Austria and around the world.
Her success at the 2004 Olympics and her continued success in international competitions has made her a role model for many judokas. Heill’s story is one of dedication and hard work, and she will always be remembered as one of Austria’s greatest judokas.
13. Katharina Tanzer
Katharina Tanzer is a talented Austrian judoka who has achieved impressive success in her field. She is an Austrian State Champion in the -48 kg division and has achieved the rank of 1st Dan.
Tanzer is also a member of the A-Team of the Austrian national judo team and is expected to be a major contributor in the 2022 season. Growing up in Gresten, Lower Austria, Tanzer began her judo career at SV Ulmerferld under the tutelage of Johann Reisinger.
Since then, she has dedicated herself to the sport and has achieved numerous accolades. Tanzer is a powerful competitor with a strong work ethic, making her a formidable opponent.
She is an inspiration to aspiring judokas, and her success is a testament to her dedication and skill.
14. Hilde Drexler
Hilde Drexler is a highly accomplished judoka from Austria. She competed in the Women’s 63 kg category at the 2012 Summer Olympics, however she was defeated in the second round. Despite this, she has enjoyed great success in her career.
She has won the Austrian women’s team championships multiple times with her club Vienna Samurai, and has earned two placements in the Golden League. This demonstrates her dedication to the sport and her skill in it.
Drexler has worked hard to be a successful judoka and has achieved a great deal in her career.
15. Klaus-Peter Stollberg
Klaus-Peter Stollberg was a renowned German judoka, who specialized in the martial art of judo. He was highly respected for his skill and knowledge of the sport and was awarded a 6th-degree black belt.
After retiring from competitive judo in 1988, he chose to continue his passion for the sport by entering the coaching arena in 1992. Since then, he has been coaching in Austria, passing on his wisdom and expertise to the next generation of judokas.
Stollberg is highly revered in the judo world, respected for his experience and accomplishments in the sport.
Conclusion
The best judo players in Austria are highly skilled and experienced athletes who have achieved great success in the sport. From the top-ranked players to the up-and-coming talent, Austria has some of the best judokas in the world.
With a strong judo culture, the country will continue to produce top-level judo players in the years to come.
