Wachid Borchashvili will replace brother Shamil at the Olympics

At the Olympic Games in Paris, Austria will have to do without Shamil Borchashvili (-81kg), the Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo. The 28-year-old from Upper Austria will not be in Paris for personal reasons. “I made every effort right up to the end, but I don't feel at my best - despite the European Championship bronze medal in Zagreb. I will definitely not be taking part in Paris. This decision is unavoidable.’ Brother Wachid is currently the first non-qualified athlete in the 81kg category to move up and is therefore guaranteed a place at the Olympic Games.

Shamil Borchashvili is currently ranked 10th in the world rankings, nine places higher than his younger brother. One comment is particularly important to him: “This retirement is not the end of my career, it's just a break from competition. I want to hit the ground running again from the autumn and win my second World Championship medal in Budapest 2025. Ideally in gold.”

“We take note of this decision and have also informed Shamil clearly and in detail about the consequences of his decision not to compete at the Olympics,” explained ÖJV President Martin Poiger. Immediately after the personal discussion with Shamil Borchashvili and his brothers Wachid and Kimran, the federation took the necessary steps with the International Judo Federation (IJF). “We have informed the IJF of the cancellation.”