She throws her hands up and cheers. Your opponent is defeated. Alina Böhm is European judo champion. The mission to defend her title was successful, but it is still unclear whether she will also go to Paris next year.
“The path to gold wasn’t easy, I had to go past very good athletes,” says Alina Böhm a few days after her success in Montpellier, “that it worked just overwhelmed me with emotions. This is such a big tournament, such a big competition.”
The world number one and second defeated Alina Böhm on her triumphal march. It was even a bit of a surprise to her that it went that far: “I was extremely nervous and excited, and I didn’t feel so quick or lively,” remembers the 25-year-old, “but I was able to move from fight to fight “I increased my self-confidence and of course wanted gold in the final.”
The way to Paris
For the second time in a row she is the best in Europe. So it’s quite clear that she will also be the German representative in Paris? Not at all. Only one judoka per weight class is allowed to go to the Olympics. In the case of Böhm’s class (up to 78 kilograms), the German Judo Association has a luxury situation with Alina Böhm in fifth place in the world rankings and Anna-Maria Wagner in fourth place.
“Of course it has advantages and disadvantages,” Böhm told SWR, “we can push each other together, compete in training and push each other further. But it is also a pressure situation because we know: in the end only one can do it drive.”
Title as Motivational boost
At the European Championships in Montpellier, Anna-Maria Wagner from Ravensburg lost in the fight for bronze and ended up fifth. Böhm is ahead in this competition. But Wagner has titles under her belt: three years ago she won bronze twice at the Games in Tokyo and was even crowned world champion a year later. Strong competition for Böhm, for whom winning the title comes at just the right time. “The medal gives a great boost of motivation,” said the European champion, “often it’s not about the goal, but about the way there and this success makes the journey all the more beautiful.”
Keep focus
It is clear which route is meant: the one to Paris. The title is a step in the right direction for her and “takes me very far forward in my Olympic qualification.” It will be important not to be distracted by the competitive situation in the German team. “I try to keep the focus entirely on myself, to concentrate on my performance, my training and my competitions,” says Alina Böhm, “I see it as a sporting competition. The best will drive and that’s fine with me too. “
She will definitely give everything for it. She has one last competition in Perth, Australia this year. She starts the next one with a small declaration of war: “Then the new season will begin in 2024 and I’m hungry for more medals!”
