Tushishvili Defeats Krpalek in Thrilling Finale at Linz Judo Grand Prix
Linz, Austria – Guram Tushishvili of Georgia defeated Lukas Krpalek of the Czech republic in a highly anticipated +100 kg final at the Judo World Tour event in Linz. The victory highlighted a weekend of intense competition, with Japan dominating the medal count.
Heavyweight Clash: Tushishvili vs. Krpalek
The gold medal match between Tushishvili, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, and Krpalek, a two-time Olympic champion, lived up to its billing. with their head-to-head record tied at 2-2 entering the contest, the stakes were high. Despite Krpalek’s comfort in Linz, where he feels a strong connection with the crowd, Tushishvili secured the win by yuko.
Japan leads Medal Tally
Japan’s “Juniors Team” emerged as the dominant force, amassing a total of twelve medals, including two golds. Georgia finished second in the medal standings, propelled by Tushishvili’s gold, while Italy took third place.
austria’s Performance and Future Prospects
Host nation Austria finished in 20th place with one bronze medal and four top-7 finishes. Bernd Fasching secured the bronze in the -71 kg category. Head Coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, considering the absence of several top athletes due to injury or retirement. She emphasized the ongoing ”generation change” and the opportunities given to young judokas.
emerging Talent: Helene Schrattenholzer
Snir-Bönisch highlighted the performance of 18-year-old Helene Schrattenholzer in the -78 kg category. Despite being unseeded, Schrattenholzer displayed resilience against Yuliia Kurchenko of ukraine, the eventual winner. Schrattenholzer is identified as a promising prospect for the future, with potential for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.



**Q: Who emerged victorious in the highly anticipated +100 kg final at the Linz Judo grand Prix,and what was the meaning of this victory?**
Tushishvili Defeats Krpalek in Thrilling Finale at linz Judo Grand Prix
Linz,Austria – Guram Tushishvili of Georgia defeated Lukas krpalek of the Czech republic in a highly anticipated +100 kg final at the Judo World Tour event in linz. The victory highlighted a weekend of intense competition, with Japan dominating the medal count.
Heavyweight Clash: Tushishvili vs. Krpalek
The gold medal match between Tushishvili, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, and Krpalek, a two-time olympic champion, lived up to its billing. with their head-to-head record tied at 2-2 entering the contest, the stakes were high. Despite Krpalek’s comfort in Linz, where he feels a strong connection with the crowd, Tushishvili secured the win by yuko.
Japan leads Medal Tally
Japan’s “juniors Team” emerged as the dominant force, amassing a total of twelve medals, including two golds. Georgia finished second in the medal standings, propelled by Tushishvili’s gold, while Italy took third place.
austria’s Performance and Future Prospects
Host nation Austria finished in 20th place with one bronze medal and four top-7 finishes. Bernd Fasching secured the bronze in the -71 kg category. Head Coach Yvonne Snir-Bönisch expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance,considering the absence of several top athletes due to injury or retirement. She emphasized the ongoing ”generation change” and the opportunities given to young judokas.
emerging Talent: Helene Schrattenholzer
Snir-Bönisch highlighted the performance of 18-year-old Helene Schrattenholzer in the -78 kg category. Despite being unseeded, Schrattenholzer displayed resilience against Yuliia Kurchenko of ukraine, the eventual winner. Schrattenholzer is identified as a promising prospect for the future, with potential for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Q&A: Decoding the Linz Judo Grand Prix
Q: What is the Judo World Tour?
A: The Judo World Tour is a series of international judo competitions organized by the International Judo Federation (IJF). These events offer athletes opportunities to earn points towards Olympic qualification and world ranking. The Grand Prix is a tier within the tour, offering significant ranking points.
Q: What does “yuko” mean in judo?
A: “yuko” is a scoring technique in judo. It’s awarded for an incomplete throw or hold, and while it used to be a significant score, it is indeed no longer used in modern judo. instead, a score is awarded to the athlete with a more dominant move.
Q: Who is Guram Tushishvili?
A: Guram Tushishvili is a Georgian judoka competing in the +100 kg weight category. he’s a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, making him a formidable competitor.
Q: Who is Lukas Krpalek?
A: Lukas Krpalek is a Czech judoka, also competing in the +100 kg weight category. He is a two-time Olympic champion, making him one of the most decorated judokas in the world.
Q: Why is Japan’s performance noteworthy?
A: Japan is the birthplace of judo and consistently dominates the sport. Their “Juniors Team” success at the Linz Grand Prix highlights the depth of their talent pool and their continued commitment to judo excellence. Their commitment to the sport is legendary.
Q: Who is Helene Schrattenholzer?
A: helene Schrattenholzer is a young Austrian judoka highlighted in the article. Competing in the -78 kg category, she’s considered a promising prospect for future competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Q: How does Austria’s performance reflect on its judo program?
A: Despite not achieving a high overall ranking, Austria’s performance, notably the bronze medal by Bernd Fasching and the emergence of talents like Schrattenholzer, suggests a positive direction.The “generation change” mentioned by the coach points toward a long-term strategy.
Q: Where can I learn more about Judo?
A: You can learn more about judo through the International Judo Federation (IJF) website or by finding a local judo club. many resources teach the basics of the sport.
Witnessing the thrilling competition at the Linz Judo Grand Prix provides a glimpse into the exciting world of elite judo. Perhaps these athletes will be inspiring the next generation of competitors!