What do Dittelbrunn and Kiev have in common? In a nutshell: martial arts and local politics. Both the 3 million metropolis in Ukraine and the 7500 community in northern Lower Franconia are ruled by a martial artist. Dittelbrunn’s mayor Willi Warmuth is not a world-class boxer like Kiev’s mayor Vitali Klitschko, but since October 10th, Ju-Jutsu grandmaster 6th Dan. And that is an outstanding award. Only exceptional athletes with exceptional commitment receive this honorary degree.
The 58-year-old has been involved in the Ju-Jutsu sport, the clubs and the association for decades and acquired the highest level in Ju-Jutsu eleven years ago with the 5th Dan. At the 22nd Bavarian seminar of the Ju-Jutsu Association Bavaria in Oberhaching, the President of the Ju-Jutsu Association, Eva Straub, awarded him the honorary degree of 6th Dan.
“You have to endure a little pain”
Willi Warmuth, Mayor of Dittelbrunn
Ju Jutsu is Japanese and means “gentle art”. But when Willi Warmuth wrestles with his counterpart, things really get down to business. Kicking, punching, throwing, choking? Ju-Jutsu includes all martial arts techniques from Judo and Karate. “You have to endure a little pain,” says the mayor of Dittelbrunn. But he doesn’t see himself as a “tough guy”. Because Ju-Jutsu is the art of conquering by giving in or evading with the strength of the attacker.
1000 different techniques
During his military service with the Feldjäger in Sonthofen in 1983, Willi Warmuth came into contact with unarmed self-defense for the first time. “I liked that.” And so then began his Ju-Jutsu career at SC 1900 Schweinfurt. He passed the 1st Dan, the first black belt, in 1991, the 5th Dan and the highest technical degree in 2005. “I had to work hard for everything,” says Warmuth, referring to 1000 different techniques that can be learned in Ju-Jutsu . During his active time between 1990 and 1994 he stood on the podium several times.
“It was a bit exotic back then,” recalls Warmuth of the irritating glances from neighbors when his white martial arts suit was hanging on the clothesline. At an early age, he was also involved as a department and exercise manager in his home club and until 1994 he was the Ju-Jutsu teacher, the highest popular sports trainer license level in the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
From 1991 until his election as mayor in 2011, Warmuth was the main coach in his home club and led many of his protégés to competitive successes. Under his direction, SC 1900 Schweinfurt was one of the most active and successful youth competition groups in the Bavarian Ju-Jutsu Association for many years. His “cheering” call could be heard across the entire sports hall when one of his kids climbed onto the podium after the competition.
In 2001 Warmuth was appointed to the teaching team of the Ju-Jutsu Association Bavaria. A high distinction that only the best Ju-Jutsu technicians receive. Because their job is to train and educate the coaches and athletes from the Bavarian clubs. Warmuth has represented the Bavarian Ju-Jutsu Association in the BLSV sports district of Lower Franconia since 2001, is a regular speaker at the Ju-Jutsu Association and is also a regional referee.
Never got into a brawl
Willi Warmuth doesn’t make a big fuss about his involvement in martial arts. “It’s nothing special for me.” He also plays chess and yoga and has been riding a motorcycle since he was 18. “I’m interested in a lot of things,” says the 58-year-old, “and what I tackle, I do consistently.” By the way, Ju-Jutsu has often been helpful to him in life. Not only that the mayor “goes through the world with self-confidence and has actually never gotten into a fight”, the “fall school” in self-defense also saved him from injuries when he fell from a bicycle or motorcycle.
