Daily Blog Day 8: Judo kicks off and a new perspective

The venue, previously home to rhythmic gymnastics, was transformed into an ideal setting for top-class judo. A total of 395 athletes from 58 countries are competing in the sport. Germany has already celebrated a notable success: Helen Habib secured a bronze medal in the 48kg weight class.

The NRW Reception was held in the Champions Park in Essen, where Minister-President Hendrik Wüst welcomed guests from a wide range of sectors. Meanwhile, celebrations continued in the nearby Grugapark, where the band Leoniden delivered an energetic concert that thrilled the audience.

In Berlin’s SSE arena, swimming and diving competitions concluded on Wednesday. However, there were no additional medals for Team Germany on the final day of competition.

Germany’s men’s volleyball team won their last match against Colombia with ease, finishing the tournament in seventh place. “We’re happy to end things with a clean 3:0 win,” said Leon Meier. “But we know there was more potential in this tournament.” The missed semi-final still weighed heavily on the team, as Max Schulz added: “Morale was low. It wasn’t easy to motivate ourselves again—but we managed.”

The women’s team played for bronze against Brazil but narrowly missed out, losing 1:3. “Of course, the disappointment is there,” said Mette Pfeffer. “But we can still be proud of beating teams like China and Poland and making it this far.”

Today, we head back to Berlin for a special perspective: a tropical-themed blog entry from a technical official at the SSE swimming and diving venue.

The FISU World University Games 2025 in Berlin marked my first time officiating at an international sporting event—and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. From the moment I entered the venue, it was clear that this was about more than just times and placements—it was about connection, shared purpose and the pride of being part of the world’s largest university sports competition.

What struck me most was the focus and professionalism of the young athletes. Despite the pressure, they remained calm, composed, and remarkably kind. My personal highlight was working in the call room—the tense moment before competition begins. Despite the pressure, many of the athletes remained open, warm, and approachable. These brief encounters left a lasting impression.

Throughout the competition days, I served in several roles poolside. While most procedures were familiar, the international scale brought a new level of intensity. We were briefed on some special protocols, but at its core, it was swimming as we know it—fair, structured, and competitive.

I already knew many of my fellow officials from previous events, and it was a joy to reunite with them in this special setting, supported by a shared sense of trust and teamwork.

I’m taking away a wealth of new insights—from procedures to personal connections, all set against the unique atmosphere of an international sporting event. If another opportunity comes along, I’ll be back in a heartbeat. After all, while this may have been just another competition on paper, the feeling of being part of this global sporting community is something truly special.

On Thursday, Michael Schulte and Wilhelmine will perform in the Champions Park in Essen, while the Ocean Film Tour will be shown in Duisburg. From a sporting perspective, it will be another exciting day—with 20 medal events and the final day of table tennis promising plenty of drama.