Author: Wolfgang Eichler
“I would have liked to have had two or three more fights in Linz but I could hardly have imagined a more unpleasant opponent to start with than Piotr Kuczera from Poland. Of course, it is a shame that I didn’t get past 3:06 minutes of net fighting time but my decision had long been made: this World Tour appearance will be my last. From now on, I will only be fighting, as an amateur athlete, so to speak, in the Austrian and German Judo Bundesliga. My professional career is over,” the 31-year-old from Vorarlberg makes clear. In an interview with Judo Austria, Laurin looks back on the last 12 years in the judo circuit and sets out his goals for his professional career after competitive sport.
Why is 8 March 2026 the ideal time for you to retire?
Laurin Böhler: “Because I haven’t been able to train without painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication for years. My body can’t take another Olympic campaign. I have suffered numerous injuries and undergone nine operations. Looking back, I made many mistakes in my competitive sports career, was often too impatient and competed in tournaments that I would have been better off skipping. I see the same thing now with Lulu (Lubjana Piovesana, partner) and other national team colleagues. They shouldn’t take any risks and should wait longer before returning to competition but that’s easy to say… As an athlete, you always tend to want to get back on the mat too soon. Today, I would gladly undo each of my nine operations.”
12 years on the IJF World Tour, 6 World Championships and 3 European Championships, four Grand Slam medals, plus 3 medals at Grand Prix level. How would you sum up your judo career?
Böhler: “The bronze medal at the 2024 Grand Prix in Linz was definitely a highlight, as were the Grand Slam medals, of course. I definitely showed my best judo in February 2019 at the Grand Slam in Düsseldorf… I had many wonderful moments. The only pity is that I didn’t make it to the Olympic Games. That would definitely have been possible.”
Will we continue to see you at judo events?
Böhler: “As I said, I will continue to train and fight for Burgkirchen in the Bundesliga. I still enjoy judo, there is no question about that and of course I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for Lulu at competitions. That goes without saying.”
What business career path do you want to pursue?
Böhler: “I have been working in sales at Disteco, my parents’ company, for more than six months now, and I want to finish my degree in energy management this year. “
What are you most looking forward to that was very difficult to do as a professional judoka?
Böhler: “I love bikes and want to go on a motorcycle tour in Morocco for several weeks, for example. That wasn’t possible in recent years.”
Images: Judo Austria/Oliver Sellner
Author: EJU Media