For the first time since 2013, the champions of the 1st Judo (men’s) Bundesliga are not from Vienna. LZ Multikraft Wels – led by Olympic medalist Shamil Borchashvili – beat series winner Galaxy Tigers 8:6 in a new edition of the 2019 final and won the first title in 44 years (1977).
The three Borchashvili brothers, the Georgian Olympic silver medalist from Rio Varlam Liparteliani and European champion Akil Gjakova (KOS) shone in the ranks of Upper Austrians, reports Judo Inside.
“We finally made it. In 2019 we were really close and first had to admit defeat in the decisive battles. With us today, the entire team has surpassed itself, ”beamed Wels coach Manfred Dullinger. “I saw us as outsiders even before the final four started. Wels deserved to win today, they have an extremely strong team. We’ve had a generation change since 2019, “said Galaxy club boss Thomas Haasmann.
The Welser laid the foundation for the title in the first round – with a total of five wins in seven duels. After the break it got exciting again: The Galaxy Tigers shortened to 4: 5 with two wins in the light weight classes. The turnaround was no longer successful. The Borchashvili brothers Shamil and Wachid as well as legionnaire Akil Gjakova made the Upper Austria dream come true and fixed the second title win for Wels prematurely. With 8: 4 they were in the lead, the rest of the fights were just a matter of form. Galaxy had to admit defeat for the first time since 2012 after seven wins in a row. Final score: 8: 6 for Wels.
Results, Final Four, Gmunden, Final for 1st place:
LZ Multikraft Wels – Galaxy Judo Tigers Vienna 8: 6th points: Akil Gjakova (KOS / -73), Shamil Borchashvili (-81) 2, Wachid Borchashvili (-90) 2 wins each, Kimran Borchashvili (-60), Varlam Liparteliani (-100); Tornike Tsjkadoea (NED / -60) 2, Tatsuto Shima (-66), Marko Bubanja (-100) and Movli Borchasvilli (+100).
Semifinals:
Galaxy Judo Tigers Vienna – Judo Union Raika Pinzgau 11: 3 (107: 27) .- Points: -66 kg: Tatsuto Shima (JPN) 2, 60: Tornike Tsjkadoea (NED), Lorenz Wlldner, 73: Mathias Czizsek, Marvin Pum, 81: Christopher Wagner, 100: Marko Bubanja, Gabor Geier, +100: Mobli Borchashvilli, Lukas Krpale (CZE); -81: Daniel Pail, -90: Peter Zilka (SVK) 2nd LZ Multikraft Wels – ESV Sanjindo Bischofshofen 10: 4 (100: 37) .- Points: -60: Daniel Leutgeb, -66: Kimran Borchashvili 2, -3 : Akil Gjakova (KOS), -81: Shamil Borchashvili 2, -0: Wachid Borchashvili, -100: Krisztian Toth (HUN), + 100: Varlam Liparteliani (GEO); -60: Artem Lesiuk (UKR), -90: Thomas Scharfetter, +100: Sebastian Dengg.
Final result: 1st LZ Multikraft Wels, 2nd Galaxy Judo Tigers Vienna, 3rd ex aequo ESV Sanjindo Bischofshofen and Judo Union Raika Pinzgau.
