Katharina Menz has already had some successes in judo. In the future, she will visit schools in the region and offer training sessions to the students.
Sulz – The sporting career of judoka Katharina Menz is impressive: from 2014 to 2019 six German championship titles in a row, 2020 bronze at the European Championships in Prague, 2021 bronze again in the team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Now she will be a management trainee in the Kipp Group.
The Kipp Group has been a partner of top-class sport for three months and is thus promoting young Olympic athletes. The companies in the group support young athletes, for example as a training company or as an employer with the challenge of combining competitive sport and work.
Katharina Menz studied mechatronics and electrical engineering and will complete a two-year trainee program to start her professional life. In order to be able to compete in countless national and international competitions, flexibility is required from both sides.
Daily training
When they get to know each other, Menz, who was born in Backnang and still fights for her home club – TSG Backnang – reports on intensive daily training sessions. “Three to four hours a day, seven days a week,” says Menz. “In addition, we are on the road for almost half the year – on all continents.”
Nicolas Kipp, who runs the company with his father Heinrich Kipp, is impressed by the intensity. When asked about the average duration and number of fights in a competition, Menz replied: “It has happened that I flew to Brazil and lost the first fight. In this case I was back after three days.”
As early as April, Kipp colleagues Katharina Menz are keeping their fingers crossed for the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. “We would be happy to welcome her as a European champion in the house afterwards,” says Karl-Josef Rebmann, member of the management board.
visit to schools
Menz also has a lot planned outside of the trainee program. “Katharina will, for example, give training sessions as part of physical education classes at regional schools. Gaining initial experience in the sport of judo with a professional athlete is definitely a highlight,” agree Bernd Plocher, member of the management board, and HR manager Ralf Kauffer. The students can also expect a photo together with the professional athlete, including an autograph. When asked by Heinrich and Nicolas Kipp about the big goal in their further sporting careers, Menz replies: “The Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. A very successful result is my big dream.”
