young judo Stars Shine at Hamburg Ranking Tournament
The Hamburg Judo Association hosted a crucial ranking tournament on February 26th and 27th, 2022, providing U18 and U21 judoka in the Hamburg region a chance to showcase their skills. This event was particularly significant as all major judo championships were rescheduled to the latter half of 2022.
The TuRa Harksheide judo club from Norderstedt sent a strong contingent of young athletes to compete. On Saturday, the U18 boys took to the mats. Glen Knoll, competing in the 60kg category, secured a respectable fourth place. Despite finishing with a 2-2 record,just like the runner-up and third-place finisher,Glen ultimately lost in a head-to-head matchup. Notably, he was the only competitor to defeat the eventual winner, a testament to his talent.
Unfortunately, Amir Gerisha in the 66kg category and Marcel Frtig in the 73kg category were unable to secure podium finishes.Frtig was sidelined due to an injury.
The following day, the spotlight shifted to the U18 girls.Jule Jacobs, a reigning Ju-Jutsu World Champion, dominated the 52kg division. After an initial loss to her final opponent in the preliminary round, Jacobs displayed remarkable resilience, ultimately defeating her rival in the final to claim victory.
Michelle rockmann, competing in the 57kg category, displayed grit and determination. While she secured a win and a loss in the preliminary round, she ultimately fell short in the semifinals, finishing in a commendable third place. Kea Knoll, the youngest participant in the 57kg division, also fought valiantly. Despite two wins and a loss in the preliminary round, she lost in the semifinals. However, her performance was notable for her age, earning her a well-deserved third-place finish.
Jessika Dubitzky, the deputy department head of the TuRaner Judoka, expressed her gratitude to the Norderstedt coaching staff, including head coach Dominik Falk, his brother Daniel Falk, and judo veteran Jarek Bravata, for their dedication and support during the tournament.
the Hamburg ranking tournament provided valuable experience for these young judoka, allowing them to test their skills against tough competition and gain valuable insights as they prepare for future challenges.
A New Generation Rises: An Exclusive Interview with Judo Veteran Jarek Bravata
The recent Hamburg Ranking Tournament showcased the impressive talent of the next generation of Judo stars.This event, crucial for U18 and U21 judoka in the Hamburg region, saw athletes from the TuRa Harksheide judo club demonstrate grit, determination, and remarkable skill. This week, we sat down with Judo veteran and coach, Jarek Bravata, to discuss the tournament’s highlights, the performance of the young athletes, and the future of judoka in Hamburg.
Moderator: Jarek, thank you for joining us today. The Hamburg Ranking Tournament clearly saw some remarkable performances from the TuRa Harksheide judoka.What stood out to you most?
Jarek Bravata:
It was inspiring to see the dedication and passion these young athletes brought to the mat. Glen Knoll, despite narrowly missing the podium, impressed everyone with his tenacity, especially given he was the only one to defeat the eventual winner in the 60kg category. That’s a real testament to his potential! And jule Jacobs, what a champion! to come back from an initial loss and dominate the final in the 52kg category shows incredible mental strength and resilience.
Moderator: Jule’s journey to victory certainly makes for a engaging story. We saw similar resilience in Michelle Rockmann and Kea Knoll, both securing podium finishes in the 57kg division.
Jarek: Absolutely. Michelle’s unwavering determination and Kea’s youthful spirit, battling it out against older competitors, were truly inspiring.this tournament served as a valuable learning experience for them, showing the importance of strategic thinking and adapting to different opponents. It’s going to be exciting to see how they progress.
Moderator: We also read about marcel Frtig’s injury. It’s always disappointing to see a competitor sidelined, especially at such a crucial event.
Jarek: It’s heartbreaking. Injuries are unfortunately part and parcel of competitive sports. We’re all hoping for a swift and complete recovery for Marcel. He’s a fantastic young athlete with a bright future ahead of him.
Moderator: You’ve been a mentor to many young judoka throughout your career. What advice would you give to those looking to follow in the footsteps of these Hamburg stars?
Jarek: first and foremost, never stop learning.Judo is a complex and dynamic sport. Embrace the challenge, constantly seek out new techniques and strategies.Second, cultivate a strong work ethic. success doesn’t come overnight. it takes dedication, discipline, and countless hours of practice.
Moderator: Excellent advice. It’s clear these young judoka have a bright future ahead of them. With coaches like you and the dedication shown at the Hamburg Ranking Tournament,
Hamburg’s judo scene is poised for exciting things.
Jarek: Thank you. These young athletes are the future. They inspire me with thier passion and drive.
Moderator: Thank you, Jarek, for sharing your insights.We wish you and the tura Harksheide judoka all the best for the coming season!
We hope you enjoyed this interview. What are your thoughts on the performance of these young judoka? Do their achievements inspire you? Share your comments below and let’s discuss the future of judo in Hamburg!
