Olympic third Jasmin Grabowski coaches at the 1st JC Mönchengladbach

Jasmin Grabowski walks slowly through the judo room of the 1st JC Mönchengladbach in the basement of the Jahnhalle. From time to time she gives instructions to the judoka who came to Mönchengladbach for the open state base training this Wednesday evening. Most of the time, however, Grabowski is in the observer role, just as she had imagined for the first introductory training session. “Once I get to know the athletes here better, we’ll of course go into more detail – but today’s training is mainly for getting to know each other,” says the 30-year-old.

Last year, Jasmin Grabowski won the bronze medal with the German team in the judo mixed team competition at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She was in Rio for her first Olympic participation in 2016 and won bronze at the European Championships in 2014 and 2017. From May she will pass on her knowledge and above all her experience to the judoka at the 1st JC. “Jasmin takes over the open state base training that takes place in our club on Wednesdays,” says Jan Dörbandt, Vice President of the Mönchengladbach Judo Club. “We are incredibly proud to have won such a successful and experienced athlete for the coaching job.”

For Dörbandt, the Olympic bronze medalist is not only the perfect choice for the coaching position at the 1st JC because of her sporting expertise, as he explains: “In judo, a lot is about conveying values.” These include respect, appreciation and Courtesy. “And hardly anyone conveys these values ​​as well as Jasmin,” Dörbandt continues. Friendship also plays an important role in judo values ​​– and this has made a significant contribution to Jasmin Grabowski accepting her first coaching position at 1. JC Mönchengladbach. The 30-year-old has had a long-standing and good friendly relationship with Dörbandt, and the vice-president of the 1st JC was even the best man at Grabowski’s wedding.

President Erik Goertz has also known the judo fighter for many years. “I also fought in the Bundesliga for three years here in Mönchengladbach. When the 1. JC asked if I would like to take over the coaching position in the club, I was very happy and said yes,” said Grabowski.

For the native of Rhineland-Palatinate, who lives in Cologne, it is the first job as a trainer. That is why she is currently still working on her trainer’s license in order to prepare for the time after her currently active judo career. “I can definitely say that I’ve gained a lot of experience over the course of my active career. I would like to pass this on to young athletes and also be a role model for them,” explains Grabowski. “And here I can definitely take the time to get used to it.”

From May, the 30-year-old will lead the open base training session in Mönchengladbach’s Jahnhalle every Wednesday evening, but Grabowski will also be involved in other areas of the club. She also takes on the youth training for the 15 to 18-year-olds, which takes place immediately before the base training in order to make the transition from youth to adult areas easier. This pleases Björn Eckert in particular, who has been with 1. JC Mönchengladbach since 1989 and takes care of the youngsters there. “I was very happy when I found out that Jasmin was coming to our club. She is such a successful and experienced athlete and definitely a great asset for us,” said Eckert.

In addition, Jasmin Grabowski, together with Melina Dörbandt, should lead the women’s team of the 1st JC back to the 2nd Bundesliga. “We would like to have both teams at least in the 2nd Bundesliga again,” says Vice President Jan Dörbandt. Due to the corona virus, there were no competitions for the Gladbach women’s team for two years. Now the new season in the NRW-Liga starts on May 8th with two duels against JC Holzwickede and 1. SC Lippetal. Jasmin Grabowski will be there for the first time as the new trainer together with Melina Dörbandt next to the mat. “Our goal with the women’s team is promotion,” says Jasmin Grabowski resolutely.