The word “legendary” is not bestowed lightly, it must be earned. Yet in judo circles, the term is almost universally attached to the Mittersill Olympic Training Camp. On Wednesday, 7 January, the 32nd edition of the world’s largest and on of the most prestigious judo training camp begins in Austria.
For one week, until 14 January, more than 900 judoka from 50 nations will converge on the 5,500-inhabitant mountain community of Mittersill. With 25 training sessions scheduled, the camp attracts the international judo elite year after year, cementing its status as the must-attend event at the start of each competitive season.
Head coach of Judo Austria, Yvonne Snir-Bönisch, captures the essence of what makes Mittersill unique: “I am not saying this because I work for the Austrian Judo Association but nowhere else do you meet so many top stars in one place. The atmosphere is incomparable, not only due to the mountains but also because the nervousness before the start of the season at the beginning of January is still limited. Everyone has had a longer competition break and is looking forward to upcoming tasks. This mood is contagious… in the most positive sense of the word.”
A Dojo Transformation
Every year on Epiphany Day (6 January), the tennis hall in the Sporthotel Kogler undergoes its remarkable transformation. Within just a few hours, 50 emergency personnel from the Mittersill volunteer fire brigade lay 1,500 square metres of tatami, converting the venue into a world-class dojo at the centre of the community.
The combination of elite-level training, breathtaking Alpine surroundings and the infectious enthusiasm of athletes embarking on a new season creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in the judo world. Mittersill’s legendary is earned anew each January when the world’s best judoka gather once again in the Austrian mountains.
Event Details:
- Dates: 7–14 January 2026
- Location: Mittersill, Oberpinzgau, Austria
- Participants: 900+ judoka from 50 nations
- Training Sessions: 25 sessions throughout the week
- Venue: Sporthotel Kogler
Source: Judo Austria
Author: EJU Media