Viennese judoka are fighting for international success on two fronts this weekend. On the one hand the cadets (under 18) at the European Cup in Györ, on the other hand the established athletes at the European Open – all roads lead to Rome, they say. At least that one too Stephan Hegyi (SC Hakoah / over 100 kilos), who will make his international comeback at the weekend after an injury break of exactly 616 days. The national return was achieved four weeks ago by winning its fourth state championship title.
The ordeal of the 26-year-old European Championship medalist from 2018 and 2019 (bronze each) is well known. Now Hegyi is returning to the international tatami not far from the Roman Colosseum, next to which the papal Way of the Cross is intended to commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. No pressure, no particular goal. “I just want to have fun fighting and get back into the competitive rhythm,” says the heavyweight, who is ranked number 4 at the Matteo Pellicone Olympic Center. And that despite the fact that he was already 100 places higher in the IJF ranking.
Most recently, Hegyi trained with the national team in Wimpassing and in Südstadt, also in the presence of his home trainer Axel Eggenfellnerwho wants to bring his protégé to the Olympic Games again in 2028. “Stephan was already in a good mood at the state championship and also made the final Movli Borchashvilli “We won confidently,” said Eggenfellner. “But of course everything is different internationally and more difficult. We’ll see what happens,” said the coach, who looks after the “giant baby” together with the ÖJV coaching staff. Speaking of which: There is a new addition to the ÖJV coaches: Jozef Krnac2004 Olympic runner-up for Slovakia in Athens up to 66 kilos, strengthens the support team, especially in the Südstadt school model. Krnac was most recently the Slovakian junior national coach.
Next to Hegyi is with Jacqueline Springer (Vienna Samurai / up to 48 kilos) there is another Viennese woman in Italy’s metropolis. The 24-year-old has already achieved four international placements this year, including bronze at the European Open in Pale (BIH) and fifth place at the Grand Prix in Zagreb. A placement is also the goal for “Jacky” in Rome. With the two judoka from Vienna, there are another six ÖJV athletes, a total of 243 from 31 countries.
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Photo: Exercise trainer Axel EGGENFELLNER wants to take his protégé Stephan HEGYI to the 2028 Olympics – @JLV Vienna / private
