Tuesday, February 3, 12:35 p.m
Judo
Losseni Kone won his first gold medal at a European Open tournament. The process, execution and atmosphere in Sofia are similar to a Grand Prix or Grand Slam and should give him self-confidence for the other tournaments this year. “It was really an adventure trip,” says Losseni Konewho was looked after by national youth coach Melek Melke, was happy about the success. “The first fight was a bit tough, but then I found the line and everything went like clockwork. The tactics were the key today and everything worked out. I felt really good, strong and superior.”
Melek Melke: “It was a great victory and it’s always nice to see how many people are rooting for our athletes. We received messages from all over Germany.” Judo will take place in the Swiss Life Hall as part of the 2026 Hanover Finals.
Flag Football
Flag football’s qualification path to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been officially confirmed. This means it is clear which international competitions the national teams can use to qualify for the Olympic tournament.
It plays a central role in the qualification process IFAF Flag Football World Cup 2026, from August 13th to 16th Deutschland/Düsseldorf will be held a few days after the 2026 Hannover Finals. At the 2026 World Cup, the two best-placed men’s and women’s teams – excluding the USA, which is set as the host nation for Los Angeles 2028 – will qualify directly for the Olympic Games. The German flag national teams have a special opportunity to compete at the highest international level in their own country and to take decisive steps towards the 2028 Olympics with strong performances.
For all teams that miss direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, there is another qualification option via the continental route. They will take place in 2027 IFAF Continental Championships instead, for Germany the European Championship. There the teams have to play among the best two non-qualified nations in Europe in order to qualify for the final qualifying round.
To swim
The Euro Meet took place in Luxembourg for the 26th time last weekend. As in the previous year Melvin Imoudu (Potsdamer SV) and Luca Nik Armbruster (SG Neukölln) at the Center National Sportif et Culturel d’Coque for German victories.
Imoudu, fifth in the World Championships, won the 50m breaststroke in 27.14 seconds. A day later, the 27-year-old was successful in the 100m race. In 59.85 seconds, Imoudu finished ahead of Junior World Champion Filip Nowacki (GBR/1:00.16) and the Dutchman Caspar Corbeau (1:00.22). “I’ve never been so fast at this point, I’m very satisfied and felt good. The competition next to me pushed well,” said Imoudu, who then immediately rushed to his flight home.
Armbruster won the 50m butterfly (23.43 seconds) on Friday. The next day he finished eleventh in the 100m butterfly in 52.41 seconds. However, his winning time in the B final would have been enough for second place in the A final behind Lewis Fraser (GBR/52.16).
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