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With the UJC Dornbirn, Vorarlberg is back in the 2nd Bundesliga after a 12-year break.
The first day of competition starts on May 7th in Bischofshofen.
For many Vorarlberg judo fans, a wish has come true, a Vorarlberg team is now again part of the second ÖJV Bundesliga. The UJC Dornbirn made this possible with a motivated team and coach David Böhler. It is the first time that Vorarlberg has been represented in the Bundesliga again since ULZ Vorarlberg voluntarily withdrew from the Bundesliga in 2010. The ULZ Vorarlberg had its greatest success in 2004, when the team achieved third place in the 1st Bundesliga. There are now 9 teams registered in the 2nd Bundesliga: Kirchham, Burgkirchen/Schwand and Reichraming from Upper Austria, PSV and Bischofshofen from Salzburg, Leibnitz and Graz from Styria, Samurai Vienna and UJC Dornbirn.
“We have nothing to lose and can gain a lot of experience” – David Böhler
UJC Dornbirn wants to do its best on its debut, but without any pressure. “We have nothing to lose and can gain a lot of experience,” said 29-year-old coach David Böhler. He sees the 2nd Bundesliga as a great opportunity for the young team: “After three years in the Alpen-Adria-Liga, a kind of western league, we wanted to give the many talents in our club new perspectives. However, we are under no illusions and see participation as the next development step and a kind of reward. With an average age of just under 20, we are by far the youngest team. Our expectations are deliberately kept low to take the pressure off the fighters. Of course we want to, but we don’t have to win.”
First day of competition on May 7th in Bischofshofen
On Saturday, May 7th, the first day of competition starts in Bischofshofen, where four rounds are fought out. The league is currently held in the form of collection rounds, in which all rounds are contested over two days of competition. The second day of competition will take place on September 17th in Leibnitz.
The UJC Dornbirn team in the 2nd Bundesliga: Simon Pastor, Leon Nussbaumer, Gabriel Bretschneider, Khangerel Batkhuyag, Sandro Hölzler, Fabian Bereuter, Jonas Dussenegger (back from left), Volkhard Stangl, Abdul-Rachim Khastaev, Matteo Gruber, Sheikh Aliev, David Böhler and Patrik Kaufmann (front from left).
