Wrestlers have a hard time

The Olympics are a long way off for three Tyroleans

Daniel Gastl (l.) is up against some tough opposition.(Bild: UWW)

The Olympic Games are the biggest goal for wrestlers. But for two athletes from Inzing, the dream of taking part in the competitions in Paris has already been shattered in the run-up. Another will now have to deal with very tough opponents at the second qualifying tournament at the beginning of May.

For Michael Wagner from Inzing, the Olympic Games are further away than ever. The 31-year-old has a particularly tough time of it: his weight class up to 82 kilograms is no longer Olympic, only 77 kg or 87 kg would be possible. "I had my body fat measured - it would be dangerous to my health if I lost that much weight," said Wagner, explaining that the lower class was not an option for him. However, the higher class is occupied by Lukas Staudacher from Vorarlberg. "I'm concentrating on the World Championships in Tirana at the end of October instead," explained the police officer.

Aker Schmid is injured again.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Michael Wagner waves it off.(Bild: Wagner)

His club colleague Aker Schmid (-60 kg) was also badly hit. Born in Iraq, he wanted to compete for Austria at the Olympics for the first time after competing for the refugee team in Tokyo in 2021. But at the first qualifying tournament in Baku, the 24-year-old suffered another injury to his shoulder, which had already been operated on. He had to have another operation and will be out for longer as a result.

Speed, agility and stamina
After his early exit in Baku up to 97 kilograms, Daniel Gastl will get a second opportunity to finally get a taste of real Olympic air in Istanbul (9 to 12 May). The powerhouse was only a training partner in Rio in 2016. However, it will be very difficult for him: the 30-year-old will have to compete against the heaviest wrestlers up to 130 kg! "I'm focusing on speed, agility and endurance. Maybe I can surprise people that way. Muscle building is no longer an option in the limited time available," he reported from the training camp in Hungary.

Freestyle wrestler Benjamin Greil (-86 kg) had to miss his first chance to qualify due to a pulled knee ligament. The 24-year-old is now fit again and recently prepared for Istanbul at a training camp in the USA. However, Martina Kuenz (-76 kg) has the best chances in the women's competition. The 29-year-old, who only just missed out on an Olympic ticket in Baku after finishing third in her comeback following a cruciate ligament rupture, is one of the big favorites at the world finals.