Hubert Sturm came to judo in 1953. In 1957 he began his studies at the DHfK in Leipzig and was trained as a qualified trainer for judo. While he was still a student, he worked as a trainer and looked after children.
In 1956 he passed his Dan examination, at that time the first examination according to the new graduation regulations of the German Judo Association (DJV). Together with Willy Lorbeer, Alfons Neumann and his college friend Gert Schneider, the four men passed the exam with distinction.
Hubert Sturm completed his studies as a qualified sports teacher and trainer at the German University for Physical Culture in Leipzig and then worked as a trainer and head coach for judo at ASK Vorwärts Berlin in Strausberg and later in Frankfurt (Oder).
He also constantly worked on his judo expertise and passed all possible Dan degrees as exams in the German Judo Association (DJV).
He already held various functions in the DJV. From 1958 to 1963 he was chairman of the junior commission, was a member of the coaching council in the DJV from 1961 to 1990 and was an authorized examiner for Kyu and Dan examinations throughout all these years.
As a coach he achieved great success.
Together with the experienced head coach Willi Lorbeer, he shapes young athletes on their path to success. In 1961, judo heavyweight legend Herbert “Jimmy” Niemann from ASK became the first European judo champion for the GDR. He won this title four times. When judo became Olympic for the first time at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Herbert Niemann was also part of the all-German judo team. Torsten Reißmann also became European champion four times. These successes are still a novelty in German judo history and have never been achieved again by any judoka.
His protégés achieved many further successes. Rudolf Hendel won two European Championship titles, Karl-Heinz Lehmann came third in the Olympics and became European champion. There were also many other European Championship and World Cup medals. In the Federal Republic, the military world champions Rene Sporleder, Uwe Frenz and Jörg Brümmer and the European champion, runner-up world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Marco Spittka were among those. Likewise the European and vice-European champion Daniel Gürschner.
Later, as vice president and president of the Brandenburg Judo Association, many young talents grew up, for whom he paved many paths to success with his expertise. Junior World Champion 2000 Thomas Pille, Junior European Champion Katrin Dittrich 2002 and Melanie Lierka 2005 as well as Susi Zimmermann as Youth European Champion 2004. Likewise Mareen Kräh as Junior Vice-European Champion and Romy Tarangul with bronze at the European Youth Olympic Games in 2003.
There were also many successes among adults under his responsibility. Yvonne Bönisch became Olympic champion in 2004 and twice runner-up in the World Championships in 2003 and 2005, Sandra Köppen came third at the World Championships in 2007, Romy Tarangul won bronze at the World Championships in 2009 and was ninth twice at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012, Mareen Kräh came third at the World Championships and won multiple European Championships. Third. All of this showed that his strategies were bearing fruit.
There were also exceptional achievements in Paralympic sport. Susann Schützel achieved her greatest success as the 2004 Paralympics champion in Athens.
As President of the BJV, Hubert Sturm once again deepened the collaboration with the DJB. He regularly supported the work of the German Judo Association at the DJB’s general meetings with his expertise and his exceptionally calm and charismatic manner.
He now contributes his experience as an honorary member of the DJB with advice and action and is a particular role model for judoka. He is a judo personality who lives and acts according to Kano’s norms and values. He puts the judo values into practice in an exemplary manner.
In 2008, Hubert Sturm withdrew from the front row and left the leadership of the regional association to younger people. As honorary president, he is still active on many fronts. Collaboration with the clubs, the examination system and respecting and honoring the voluntary work of BJV members are particularly important to him.
With his experiences and his leadership personality, he always manages to appear balanced and honorable.
For his sporting successes, Hubert Sturm was awarded the “Patriotic Order of Merit of the GDR” and the DJV’s Golden Badge of Honor.
In 2014 he was awarded 9th Dan. He also became an honorary member of the DJB.
Hubert Sturm will be awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in December 2019 for his meritorious, lasting work for the German judo sport.
But Hubert Sturm also does sports himself from time to time. At the age of almost 70, for example, he publicly demonstrated a kata at the opening of the judo hall in Strausberg. Despite all the commitment to judo, there was still time to pursue other hobbies. Hubert Sturm was particularly fond of mountaineering. For his eightieth birthday, he didn’t miss the chance to climb the challenging Saxon sandstone cliffs again with his son Hagen.
He is also known as a good football player. In his other hobbies, skat and chess, he also took advantage of the opportunities to practice strategy, tactics and logical thinking.
The best wishes from his long-time companions accompany him on his further journey in life. On behalf of all judoka, the German Judo Association warmly congratulates him on his 90th birthday and sends him all the best wishes for continued good health and creativity.
