He goes back to the mat. And not as a trainer, but in judogi, the traditional fighting suit of judoka. Sebastian Zimmermann, 54, who has been the coach of the second division team ESV Ingolstadt for years, wants to know it again. And that’s why it’s starting at the German Veterans Championship in Nürburg this weekend.
“I’m looking forward to it and feel fit, even though I recently had to lose another two kilos,” says Zimmermann with a grin. He has been regularly working on his form in the gym for a long time, and of course his Ingolstadt “Coyotes” also serve as sparring partners. “The boys are amazing. I’m incredibly grateful to them, even if they destroy me on a regular basis. But they are behind me, pushing me, that feels good,” says Zimmermann, who will be taking part in his first competition in Nürburg since 1989 – and is pursuing a very specific goal. “It’s been exactly 40 years since I became national champion in Romania. It would be great if I could repeat such a success again in Germany.”
Zimmermann, who competes in the class up to 100kg and in the age group M5 (born 1974 – 1970), wants to concentrate entirely on his own strength and rely on it. “No,” he answers the relevant question, “I don’t know the draw or my opponents. That’s not really important to me, I’ll just let myself be surprised.” The ESV coach relies more on his experience. Zimmermann, who has lived in Ingolstadt since 1993, previously became Romanian junior champion twice in his home country (1982/U13 age group and 1984/U15), came second twice (1985/U16 and 1989/U21) and won the international U21 championships in Poland (silver, 1987/U18) and Hungary (bronze, 1986/U18, 1987/U18, 1988/U21) further medals. Maybe there will be another one this weekend.
DK
2024-04-12 03:04:57
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