Wuelfrath. After more than two years, one of the largest German judo competitions has returned from the Corona break with the German University Championships. The Wülfrather judoka Sophie Püchel celebrates a success.
This year, 366 participants competed in Potsdam for the winning pins and for qualification for the European University Championships. In addition, the German university championship is one of the qualification criteria for the “FISU Games” – the former “Universiade” – next year.
In a large field of 29 starters in the weight class up to 57 kilograms, the master’s student of the Gymnastics Federation went onto the competition mat with well-known faces from the German sports promotion. After three premature victories, the TBW athlete met the reigning German Champion of the German Judo Federation, Tamara Ohl, in the semifinals.
Sophie Püchel proved that she had a good day of competition. After falling behind, Püchel was able to equalize the game with a remarkable foot throw. As the fight progressed, she continued to put her opponent under pressure, so that the encounter was decided prematurely by penalties for the student from Cologne.
In the final, Püchel underlined her performance after just 90 seconds with a dynamic one
throw combination. The TBW athlete thus managed to qualify for the European Championships next year.
On the second day of the competition, the woman from Wülfrath won the mixed race, which was held for the first time
Team competition with their team of Cologne students the title. With four wins in
Sophie Püchel was able to successfully support the team four times. Thus, the Wülfratherin is also qualified for the European Championships in the team competition in Zagreb.
