Austria’s Borchashvilli clan turns family ties into judo momentum

At the 2026 European Judo Championships Seniors in Tbilisi, Austria is represented by more than a few strong individuals. The Borchashvilli family has brought a real family storyline onto the tatami, with Movli Borchashvilli in +100 kg, Magamed Borchashvilli in -81 kg and their cousin Isssa Naschcho in -90 kg all competing. Another brother, Adam, is also an active judoka, while older cousins have already left a major mark on Austrian judo.

That earlier generation matters a lot in this story. Shamil, Wachid and Kimran Borchashvili are all retired now, but they remain well-known names in Austria. Shamil’s Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020 stands out as the biggest result mentioned, and it still gives the younger family members a clear standard to chase.

The family’s path to Austria began after emigrating from Chechnya, Russia. Judo first entered their lives as a practical way to help the children integrate more quickly. Over time, that decision grew into something much bigger, turning into a shared identity that now stretches across brothers, cousins and different generations.

For Austria, this is not just depth in numbers but depth in tradition.

Movli has said that seeing the success of his older cousins and brothers pushes him to do more. Magamed also speaks about the joy of training together, not just because it helps performance, but because it strengthens a bond that goes beyond sport. That mix of pressure, trust and daily support gives their journey a different feel from a typical national-team story.

Even with parts of the family based in Vienna and others in Upper Austria, the connection stays strong. They often come together at the national training centre in Linz, and Magamed sometimes also works with the club founded by Shamil, Kimran and Wachid. Movli, as a heavyweight, has different needs and fewer suitable sparring partners there.

Their focus is firmly on the future. Both brothers serve as sports soldiers in the Austrian army, enjoy the rhythm of competition and training camps, and have set their sights on medals, titles and qualifying together for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For Austrian and European judo, the Borchashvilli name continues to carry real weight.

Source: EJU_News