Judoka Lev Unterberg has a lot to bear. A year ago, when the WN first visited the young man, we noticed the enormous number of medals in his trophy cabinet. Six of them – only the yield of the past four weeks – are now dangling around the broadcaster’s neck for the photo. First places at tournaments in Luxembourg and Poland, gold and bronze at another international event in Liechtenstein, victory at the Tiger Cup in Visbek, Lower Saxony, and winning the team competition at the “Ruhr Games” in Duisburg with the district of Münster. In addition, the acquisition of the brown belt. Every success is another step on the way to the big goal that the broadcaster revealed to our newspaper twelve months ago: the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane/Australia.
The 13-year-old puts up with a lot for this. Regular training in the Stever community at Clever Fit, at TSC Münster and TuS Altenberge (form a combat cooperation), at the state bases in Osnabrück and Bottrop. Plus the trips through half of Europe to take part in tournaments: there is hardly any time for things that boys his age usually do. Doesn’t he feel like he’s missing something? When the classmates meet to do something together, “I sometimes ask myself why I’m standing on the mat instead,” explains the eighth grader. And adds with a grin: “Especially when a fight didn’t go so well. But then I usually remember very quickly why I’m doing all this. What I want to achieve in judo.”
Trainers are more likely to brake
Remarkable words from an eighth grader. One also doesn’t have the impression that someone is forcing him to subordinate life to competitive sport. Of course Papa Satur and Mama Xenia are terribly proud of what their son has achieved so far. But, the mother insists, “Lev does it of his own accord.” The trainers sometimes tried to slow him down – no chance: “As soon as the boy put his mind to something . . .”
Speaking of coaches: he owes them “everything”, emphasizes the junior. The father, black belt carrier, Thomas Wilfing from JC Senden, Martin Gräfe (TSC/TuS), Irina Arends (Münster district), Jan Tefett (Bottrop): There are things from everyone that he can learn from for his advancement. State trainer Tefett says about his protégé that he is very hardworking and loves to fight – “which is the basic requirement for a successful career. If Lev continues like this, he will definitely make his way in judo.”
villains on vacation
Unterberg is currently in Croatia. No competition, but 14 days vacation. put your feet up? Fry in the sun? Not so: “Last year, after my summer vacation, I had the feeling that I had to start from scratch again.” It may be that this talented martial artist is exaggerating a bit at this point. But to be on the safe side, he does “do my jogging laps on the beach. Or I’ll do some push-ups.” Next. Keep going.
In February, Lev Unterberg was as successful as now in June. In Dormagen, the Scholl student became West German Champion in the class up to 66 kilos for the first time. In 2024 he wants to be on the podium at the U16-DM in Frankfurt. More precisely: on the top step of the same. For Lev Unterberg, second place is always: a defeat. And after defeats, Lev Unterberg admits, he’s a bit insufferable.
Also at the beginning of the year, the teenager won a major tournament in Thionville, France, a rising judo nation. At the award ceremony they played the German anthem. “Pure goosebumps,” says the broadcaster, beaming. It cannot be ruled out that something like routine will set in on this point in the next few years.
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2023-07-12 08:44:10
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