3 February 2025

A FAMILY CONNECTION

Paris Grand Slam 2025

A FAMILY CONNECTION

Most will be used to seeing Robert KRAWCYZK in red representing Austria, but during the Paris Grand Slam, he was donning the blue tracksuit of Azerbaijan. It isn’t unusual in a new cycle to see staffing changes amongst teams, but this particular change came with a happy coincidence. 

I’m happy that I’ve been able to find some connection with the athletes already, and I’m happy it was in my category of -81kg! It’s actually funny because I was coaching my former opponents son, Omar, so it was very nice and a great surprise for me.

This history is with Elkhan RAJABLI, 2001 World bronze medallist, and on the second day of the Paris Grand Slam, Krawcyzk was able to coach his son to a bronze medal. 

Every nation is different and have varying styles and attitudes in this sport, so how has Krawcyzk adapted to his new set up? 

It’s something new, a new experience, of course completely different way of thinking and way of judo, they have a great spirit. But it is always different, different than in Austria, than Belgium, than Poland. The biggest difference is the amount of athletes, in Azerbaijan it is huge, and to work with a big team is new for me. Now Richard [Trautmann] has explained my role there, my part in this team and I think it’s really good, before I was used to working with smaller numbers on a more individual basis but we try to do the same with the athletes that are assigned to me. 

There really are so many good athletes you know the number two, three, even four can all be taking a medal, and in any moment can become the number one. This is a big advantage for me because of course, the top athletes are already set up with their coaches, and now I can work with the newer ones to build them up.

A new challenge is always exciting, especially in a nation as strong as Azerbaijan who triumphed in the Paris Olympic Games with two Olympic gold medals.

Judoka

Author: Thea Cowen