In February 2022, after the outbreak of the war of aggression in Ukraine, Otto Kneitinger took over as interim president of the EJU, and in June of the same year he passed on to Dr. László Tóth as president. “I had already announced back then that I would be leaving at the end of 2024. That was also agreed upon with my family,” emphasizes the father of three.
Instead of going to the Olympic training camp in Mittersill in January 2025, he will ski in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. A vacation in Tuscany is planned for spring. Just in time for his departure from the EJU, the 70-year-old marketing expert moved into a new house in Abensberg – with an even better quality of life. “I will enjoy my retirement to the fullest and hopefully stay as healthy as I am today for a long time to come.”
“Otto Kneitinger has played a key role in the development of the EJU over the last 25 years, especially in the last difficult years. We owe him a big thank you,” said IJF President Marius L. Vizer and EJU President Dr. László Tóth at the same time.
Otto Kneitinger was awarded 6th Dan at the Ordinary Congress by IJF Executive Committee member Jean-Luc Rougé (10th Dan) for his great life achievements.
In the evening he received the highest award for a quarter of a century of service to European judo, the EJU Order of Merit, from IJF President Marius Vizer and EJU President Dr. Lázsló Tóth presented.
