Competition opens up to international participants
This year's Judo University Championships are a dress rehearsal for 2025, when the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will be held in North Rhine-Westphalia. In July 2025, 15 medal events will be held in the halls of the Messe Essen (Essen Exhibition Centre).
This is another reason why the German University Championships are opening their doors to international competition this year. Students from Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein will also be able to take part. The geographical location of the championships on Lake Constance is therefore ideal.
©Felix Thoß
"The World University Games are in focus"
"The internationalisation of the German University Championships is also a step forward for judo in the German University Sports Federation. The aim of this strategy is to promote mutual exchange in competition. In addition, athletes are to be inspired to take part in international competitions in university sport. The FISU World University Games 2025 are of course at the centre of this event," says Moritz Belmann, head of judo at the German University Sports Federation.
©Felix Thoß
Around 500 participants from 98 universities are expected in Konstanz this year, competing in various weight categories. For the first time, the newcomers will compete in a mixed team competition. They will be competing against students who have been introduced to judo through their university and are now looking to gain their first competitive experience. "Having the rookies compete in a mixed team is definitely a step in the right direction, even though it is a big challenge for us and we had to work hard to recruit women," says Johannes Karsch, who is responsible for judo at the FISU World University Games and who also act as a coach for the students from Cologne at this tournament.
More information is available at www.judoclub-konstanz.de
