Corona and the uncertainty in relation to league competitions force AC Penzberg to take a drastic step. The "Bayrisch Felser" are letting go of the season. They are already looking to the coming year - and an anniversary.
Penzberg - Up until now, this scenario was unimaginable: a season without wrestling matches in Penzberg. The athletes' club (AC) "Bayrisch Fels" has been part of the Bavarian weight training scene for decades. Every year in autumn the season of team fights took place - with sometimes highly emotional home appearances in the gym near the wave pool. The corona pandemic, however, provides a contrasting program this year: The Penzberg teams "will not go on the mat in the 2020 season," announced the traditional club on Monday.
AC Penzberg: No participation in team fights this year
“The situation is of course absolutely unsatisfactory for our athletes and fans, we are all aware of that. But sometimes, unfortunately, unpopular decisions are needed ”, said Bernd Dürr , the 2nd chairman. In the current situation there are simply too many question marks to be able to plan sensibly. “Nobody knows whether the season can actually take place,” said Dürr. A start is planned on October 24th, but the field of participants is very thin.
The Bavarian Wrestling Association (BRV) has used a questionnaire to determine the mood among the clubs in recent months. The evaluation showed: Of the 68 wrestling clubs in the Free State, only 28 have declared that if the government can give the green light to the corona epidemic for health reasons, they will take part in a points round. According to the current status, there are three classes (Oberliga, Bayernliga, Gruppeliga) - each divided into a northern and southern relay. In some other federal states, the wrestling associations have long since canceled the season of team fights, examples are Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Württemberg.
The Penzbergers cite several reasons why they are not participating this year. At the moment, the AC explains, the hall required for training is still closed, "which also means that no one knows whether the fights may even be held at the start of the season". According to the club's management, the athletes “have not been able to hold any normal training sessions to this day, which would increase the risk of injury”. With fitness training in the open air alone, "you can't fight wrestling matches," emphasizes Dürr. In addition, some AC wrestlers would not get approval from their employers, as the risk of contagion would threaten the existence of the companies.
AC Penzberg: Season end is not a complete retreat
The topic of "finances" also plays an important role in the decision. For a large part of the sponsors of the Penzberger "the pandemic has not passed without a trace, and the club does not want to drive the sponsors and patrons into a corner", the athletes' club announced. Nobody can say yet whether the fights can be carried out with spectators. As a rule, between 150 and 200 visitors come to the Penzberg duels. The entrance fees and the kiosk sales contribute significantly to the success of a wrestling season.
AC Penzberg: special anniversary in 2021
The 2nd chairman attaches importance to one thing: The refusal to take part in the team fights this year does not amount to a complete retreat. According to a regulation that the BRV has made with the clubs, a club will not incur any disadvantages if it does not compete this year. He is not downgraded to a performance class, nor does he have to pay a fine. Ascent and descent are suspended.
"We are now taking a step back, so to speak, but then taking further steps forward," says Dürr. Because 2021 is the 125th anniversary of AC Penzberg. Door. The celebration is to take place from June 18th to June 20th with a big wrestling tournament, a big anniversary party and a "club Olympics" of the Penzberg clubs.
