A New Olympic Role Awaits Markus Moser After Shaping Austrian Judo

Markus Moser is moving on from Judo Austria and into a major new role in Austrian sport. From 1 September, the long-time sports leader will become Head of Sport at the Austrian Olympic Committee, closing an important chapter in Austrian judo while stepping deeper into the Olympic world.

For Judo Austria, this is more than a staff change. Moser has been part of the federation for nearly 13 years and has helped steer its high-performance direction through a period of real progress. He joined in 2014 as Sports Coordinator, became Sports Director in 2017, and during that time Austrian judoka won almost 80 international medals.

That medal haul did not come by chance. The federation points to a broad restructuring of its elite programme during Moser’s time, including new coaching structures, greater centralisation and the development of the national training base in Linz. The result was a stronger presence for Austria on the international scene and a return to the level expected from a serious judo nation.

His move to the ÖOC came after a highly competitive recruitment process. According to the source, 184 national and international applications were received, and Moser was selected in the end. ÖOC officials praised his ideas, experience and understanding of both domestic and international sport.

One of Austrian judo’s key builders is now heading into a wider Olympic mission.

For Moser himself, leaving judo in an official sense was not a simple decision. He made clear that the sport has shaped his life from childhood, and that the choice took time. Still, the connection between judo values and Olympic values made the next step feel natural.

He spoke about respect, fairness and honesty as shared principles, and his career path shows how closely his work has already been tied to the Olympic movement. Over the years, those links grew steadily, from youth events to major multi-sport Games. In Paris 2024, he served as head of the judo delegation and celebrated Michaela Polleres winning bronze.

That was not his only unforgettable moment from this era. Looking back, Moser singled out Polleres’ bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships in Budapest as a particularly emotional breakthrough for the federation. Austria had waited since 2010 for a World Championship medal, so the result carried real weight. Soon after, Polleres and Shamil Borchashvili added Olympic silver and bronze, giving Austrian judo another powerful surge.

Moser was also careful to place the success in a team context. He highlighted the combined work inside Judo Austria, mentioning President Martin Poiger, Secretary General Corina Korner and head coach Yvonne-Snir Bönisch among the people who helped drive the programme forward. His message was clear: progress came from specialists working together.

That idea now follows him into his new position. At the Austrian Olympic Committee, Moser says his aim is to bring together knowledge and resources so athletes can have the best possible conditions for Olympic preparation. It is a bigger stage, but the same athlete-first focus.

His next challenge starts beyond judo, but judo remains at the heart of the story.

There is some emotion in this moment because Austrian judo is losing a figure who helped rebuild structure, belief and results. But there is also a sense of continuity. Moser is not leaving sport behind. He is taking the experience forged inside judo and carrying it into Austria’s wider Olympic future.

For Judo Austria, that legacy is already visible in medals, systems and momentum. For Markus Moser, the next chapter begins with bigger responsibility and the same goal: helping athletes get closer to the podium.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union