Peter Scharinger new head coach for Denmark

Denmark has chosen another young trainer to deal with the talents. After the departure of Miguel Lopes who was head coach in Denmark since 2014, Austrian Peter Scharinger (31) has chosen the adventure to work in Denmark.

Scharinger signed a contract until 2018 with an option for prolongation. The Austrian was an international athlete until 2015 and is a triple Austrian senior champion U73kg and former bronze medallist at European U23 Championships.

Scharinger, who is coach at his club UJC Muehlviertel, gets a huge opportunity to be full time equipped in the international judo circuit along with his studies. "It's always the school, the training, school, training ... the great attraction of the team is that I can concentrate on one area now," explains Scharinger.

Scharinger was in contact with Denmark for a long time. When he was an athlete he used to stay in Denmark with his girl-friend Rikke Sejer Berg and train with the team. Scharinger will become a father next month with a 50% Danish baby and speaks the basics of Danish.

Scharinger will start this summer and if the performances are satisfying the contract will be extended to the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. "The goal is to bring an athlete to the Olympic Games."

Denmark hasn’t had any judo athletes at the Olympic Games since 1988. Currently, Emilie Sook is the highest ranked athlete for Denmark, ranked 50^th and for Tokyo women have much more chance to qualify than for Rio in 2016. The chance is realistic. Scharinger never competed at the Olympic Games himself; he fought twice at the World Championships and competed at European Championships from 2009-2013.

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