Young Judoka 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 an prospect to compete amidst a revised championship schedule.
The TuRa Harksheide judo club from Norderstedt fielded a strong team, showcasing promising talent across various weight classes.Saturday’s U18 Boys Competition
glen Knoll, competing in the 60kg category, secured a commendable fourth-place finish.despite a record of two wins and two losses,mirroring those of the runner-up and third-place finisher,knoll narrowly missed out on a podium spot due to head-to-head results.Notably, he was the only competitor to defeat the eventual champion, a testament to his skill.
Amir Gerisha, competing in the 66kg division, unfortunately faced two losses and was unable to place. Marcel Frtig, scheduled to compete in the 73kg category, was sidelined due to injury.
Sunday’s U18 girls Competition
The norderstedt female judoka delivered remarkable performances on Sunday. 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, demonstrated her fighting spirit, securing one win and one loss in the preliminary round. Despite a valiant effort in the semifinals, she narrowly missed advancing to the final, ultimately finishing in a respectable third place.
Kea Knoll,also competing in the 57kg division,showcased her potential as the youngest participant. With two wins and one loss in the preliminary round,she faced a tough semifinal match,ultimately finishing in third place.
Recognition and Thankfulness
Jessika Dubitzky, deputy department head of the TuRaner Judoka, expressed gratitude to the Norderstedt coaching team for their dedication and support. This included head coach Dominik Falk, his brother Daniel Falk, and experienced judoka Jarek Bravata. Their guidance played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Rising Stars on the Mat: An Interview with Judo Coach Dominik Falk
The recent Hamburg Ranking Tournament showcased some amazing young talent, adn here to discuss the event and what it means for the future of German judo is Dominik falk, head coach of the TuRa Harksheide judo club and the driving force behind the Norderstedt team’s impressive performance. Welcome, Dominik!
Dominik: Thanks for having me. It was truly a fantastic weekend for our young judoka.
Moderator: Absolutely! Glen Knoll, despite not medaling, caught my eye. He was the only one to defeat the eventual champion in the 60kg category. That’s a huge accomplishment. What are your thoughts on Glen’s performance?
Dominik: glen is a tenacious competitor with a powerful technique. He’s still young, but he’s learning to manage his energy throughout a match. That loss to the eventual champion in the preliminaries ultimately cost him a podium spot, but seeing him best that competitor shows his potential.
Moderator: Resilience seems to be a key theme for this team. Jule Jacobs, already a Ju-jutsu World Champion, displayed remarkable grit in the 52kg division, bouncing back from an early loss to ultimately claim victory. That must have been inspiring for the younger athletes like Kea Knoll in the 57kg division who also fought valiantly for a medal.
dominik: Jule’s determination is infectious. She’s a true leader on and off the mat. Kea, being the youngest competitor, showed incredible heart and potential. Her performance in the 57kg division bodes well for her future.
Moderator: It’s evident that the coaching team has played a pivotal role in nurturing this talent. You, your brother Daniel, and Harambe team member Jarek Bravata bring a wealth of knowledge and experiance to the team. Can you elaborate on your coaching philosophy and the approach you take to developing these young athletes?
Dominik: We beleive in fostering a culture of hard work, discipline, and mutual respect. we wont to develop well-rounded individuals, emphasizing both physical and mental strength. Technical mastery is essential, but instilling the values of sportsmanship and resilience are equally important.
Moderator: It’s inspiring to see the dedication and support within the team. What are your hopes and aspirations for these young judoka moving forward?
dominik:
We want to see them continue to grow and excel, both individually and as a team. National and international competitions are on the horizon, and we are confident that these young athletes have the potential to achieve great things.
Moderator: Thank you, Dominik, for your insights and for sharing your passion for judo with us. this tournament was a testament to the hard work, determination, and spirit of the TuRa Harksheide team. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these rising stars!
We’d love to hear from our readers! what are your thoughts on the performance of the TuRa Harksheide judo team? Do you have any aspiring young athletes in your family? Share your comments below.
