Young athlete honored in Wermelskirchen town hall
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Judoka Ben Musaeus wins gold in Berlin
Ben Musaeus came to the town hall with his parents Jörg and Sylvia so that Mayor Marion Lück (right) could personally congratulate him on his success.
Photo: Kathrin Kellermann
Berlin/Wermelskirchen The 20-year-old judoka won all his fights, although the preparation time was a bit bumpy and he had to stop training at times.
The life of just 20-year-old Ben Musaeus could not be better at the moment. The man from Wermelskirchen recently won the gold medal in judo at the Special Olympics in Berlin. Musaeus proudly presented this on Tuesday in the town hall of his hometown, which he visited with his parents. Mayor Marion Lück hugged the judoka on behalf of the whole city and heartily congratulated the “golden boy” on his success. After three fights with three victories, the first place was finally determined.
Special Olympics Germany (SOD) is the German organization of the world’s largest sports movement for people with mental and multiple disabilities, officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The goal of the movement is to help people with intellectual disabilities through sport to gain more recognition, self-confidence and ultimately more participation in society.
A total of 4,500 athletes with and without disabilities competed in 20 sports at the Special Olympics this year. Ben Musaeus was one of them; he has down syndrome. Looking back on the tournament, he says: “That was really cool!”
The preparation time for the 20-year-old was a bit bumpy. Because less than two weeks before the judo enthusiast from Wermelskirchen, who starts for JC Mifune from Hückeswagen, wanted to leave for Berlin with his father Jörg Musaeus, he got a positive rapid corona test. Musaeus therefore had to recover first, training was out of the question.
When the tournament in the German capital started, Ben’s father, who also coaches his son at the same time, was almost more excited than the 20-year-old athlete himself. Ben’s mother followed the sports tournament in Berlin at home in front of the television. Ben fought in competition class 2 (less severe impairment) with a fighting weight of up to 73 kilograms. In May of this year he already won the ID state championship title in this category.
