After more than 4,500 days, nearly 150 months and almost 13 years of service to Judo Austria, Sports Director Markus Moser is preparing for the next chapter of his career. From 1 September, the 36-year-old Viennese sports scientist will take up the role of Head of Sport at the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC), succeeding Olympic champion Christoph Sieber.
The announcement marks the end of an era for Judo Austria. Since joining the federation in 2014, initially as Sports Coordinator before becoming Sports Director in 2017, Moser has played a central role in reshaping Austria’s high-performance programme. During this period, Austrian judoka collected almost 80 international medals and re-established themselves among the world’s leading nations.
The interest in the position at the Austrian Olympic Committee was considerable. A total of 184 national and international applications were received by recruitment specialists Odgers Austria, with the multi-stage selection process overseen by three-time Olympic fencing participant Michael Ludwig. Ultimately, Moser emerged as the successful candidate.
“Markus Moser convinced us with his ideas, approaches and visions in all phases,” explained ÖOC Secretary General Florian Gosch.
ÖOC President Horst Nussbaumer added: “Markus is a proven top expert who knows domestic and international sport very well.”
For Moser, however, the decision to leave the sport that has shaped his entire life was not an easy one.
“If there was one job in Austria that interested me, besides that of Judo Austria sports director, it was as head of sports at the ÖOC,” Moser explained. “But it took time for me to be sure that I wanted to take this career leap. I thought about it for several weeks and a conversation with my wife Ayse lasting several hours brought the decision. According to the motto: You only regret opportunities later that you don’t seize or don’t even try…”
His connection to both judo and the Olympic movement made the transition feel like a natural progression.
“The judo values, with which I grew up since I was 6 years old, and the Olympic values are very similar. Virtues such as respect, fairness, honesty, to name just three. Since I have been back from my sports master’s degree at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences and work for Judo Austria, the Olympic rings have accompanied me. The contacts with the ÖOC have arisen more or less automatically over the years. In 2005 I was at the European Youth Games (in Lignano) as a teenager, in 2015 I witnessed EYOF gold by Stephan Hegyi in Tbilisi as sports coordinator, in 2024 I was head of the judo delegation at the Games in Paris and was happy about bronze from Michaela Polleres. I am convinced that an exciting time awaits me at the ÖOC. Of course, I am excited to be able to prepare the mission of the Olympics for all professional associations, to create synergies, to work on becoming even more successful.”
Looking back on his time at Judo Austria, Moser is quick to highlight the collective effort behind the federation’s success. His tenure coincided with a major restructuring of the high-performance programme, including the introduction of new coaching structures, greater centralisation and the development of the national training base in Linz.
“What distinguishes Judo Austria is that everyone pulls together and sits in different positions people who are top in their field. President Martin Poiger has been working internationally for the European Federation for a long time, Secretary General Corina Korner leads a successful judo club, is a referee, worked in the Ministry of Sports and recently successfully passed the trainer examination. Head coach Yvonne-Snir Bönisch, Olympic champion as a judoka, is constantly working on developing herself and pondering new concepts, trying to make our athletes better…. All the people in the association are specialists who work well in a team, just as it should be in a small sports association. I really felt it was a privilege to be able to work in this team and of course it was nice that success slowly but surely came back with the new coaching staff, the partial centralisation and the national base in Linz.”
His contribution has not gone unnoticed.
“Even though we are reluctant to let him go in the association, the joy that his comprehensive know-how is now available to the entire Olympic sport in Austria outweighs the joy. From our cooperation over the last almost 13 years, I know only too well that he is the absolute ideal person for this task,” affirmed Judo Austria President and ÖOC Board Member Martin Poiger.
“Markus was so successful with Judo Austria above all because he has extraordinary human qualities in addition to his outstanding expertise. The way he brought together or balanced the most diverse interests in competitive sport on the one hand with clear facts and on the other hand with empathy and diplomacy was extraordinary!”
Among the many achievements and milestones experienced during his time with the federation, one memory stands above the rest.
“As an association, we have had to wait for a World Championship medal since 2010, and for an Olympic medal since 2008. When Michi Polleres won bronze at the World Championships in Budapest in 2021, we were incredibly happy and relieved. It was a goosebump moment, the likes of which you don’t often experience. Two months later, Michi and Shamil also won Olympic silver and bronze…”
Now, as he prepares to take responsibility for supporting Austria’s entire Olympic movement, his focus remains firmly on helping athletes succeed.
“My goal is to bundle the entire know-how and resources of the ÖOC in such a way that our athletes find the best possible conditions for their Olympic preparation,” says Markus Moser. “I’m really looking forward to the new task!”
Before fully embracing that challenge, however, Moser has one final wish for Austrian sport.
“That the cooperation of all stakeholders, athletes, professional associations, public authorities, and more, becomes even more effective step by step. Yet, first and foremost, I’m looking forward to new exciting challenges and hopefully many medals, including judo.”
As one chapter closes, another begins. For Judo Austria, Markus Moser leaves behind a legacy of growth, professionalism and international success. For Austrian Olympic sport, one of its most respected administrators is now preparing to guide athletes from every discipline towards future Games and, ultimately, future podiums.
Once a judoka, always a judoka. Markus Moser may be embarking on a new Olympic journey but he remains part of the judo family. This is not goodbye, it is simply see you at the Olympic Games!
Source: Judo Austria
Author: EJU Media