DJB U16 Sichtungsturnier in Duisburg: Bayern Wins Team Title as Markus Haug Shines

Duisburg hosted the 26th edition of the DJB-Sichtungsturnier for male U16 judokas on April 18, 2026, drawing 334 participants from all German state judo associations, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the Sportschule Duisburg-Wedau.

The team competition was won by Bavaria, who edged out Belgium and North Rhine-Westphalia to claim the top spot in the overall team standings. This marks another strong showing for Bavarian youth judo at the annual talent identification event.

Competition took place across six mats, with athletes vying for medals and placement points that contributed to the team trophy. Results were recorded in detailed weight class lists, highlighting individual performances across the spectrum.

In the -37 kg division, Illia Menkov of TSV Großhadern (BY) took gold, followed by Max Beermann of PSV Berlin (BE) in silver and a tie for bronze between Wout Balcaen of Judo Vlaanderen (BEL) and Alexander Deutsch of JC Bietigheim (WÜ).

The -40 kg category saw Timur Myroniuk, also of TSV Großhadern (BY), claim first place, with Volodymyr Medvedev of Gishi Club Jambes (BE) earning silver and Hugo Maximilian Roolf of Homburger TG (HE) and Ruhn Laperre of Jitsu-Kwai Hamme (BEL) sharing bronze.

Kyryl Batiuk of Jahn Nürnberg (BY) won gold in the -43 kg class, ahead of Daniel Gupalo of JC Kim-Chi Wiesbaden (HE) and Ilian Aldergot of BC Karlsruhe (BA), who tied for bronze with Gustav Altmann of JC Leipzig (SN).

Moritz Nitsch and Giorgi Kvizhinadze, both representing TSV Großhadern (BY), finished first and second respectively in the -46 kg weight class, sharing the podium with Renzo Pereira of PSV Leipzig (SN) and Aaron Richter of Berlin (BE), who tied for third.

The highly contested -50 kg division featured 50 athletes, the largest field of the tournament. While the full podium was not specified in available sources, Markus Haug emerged as a notable performer in this category, drawing attention for his technical execution and competitive spirit throughout the day.

As a key fixture in the German Judo Federation’s (DJB) youth development calendar, the Sichtungsturnier serves as both a performance benchmark and a talent showcase for regional coaching staff and national selectors. Held annually at the Sportschule Duisburg-Wedau, the event brings together the most promising U16 athletes from participating regions to compete in a high-performance environment.

The tournament’s structure emphasizes not only individual achievement but also collective strength, with team points accumulated across weight classes determining the overall Landesverband champion. This dual focus reinforces the DJB’s commitment to holistic athlete development at the grassroots level.

For Bavaria, the victory continues a recent trend of strong performances at DJB Sichtungsturnieren, reflecting sustained investment in youth coaching, athlete pathway programs, and club-level support systems across the state.

Looking ahead, athletes who distinguished themselves in Duisburg may receive invitations to regional training camps or national development squads, with the next major checkpoint on the DJB youth calendar expected to be the U18 Sichtungsturnier later in the season.

Archysport will continue to follow the progression of standout performers from this event as they advance through the German judo development system.

What are your thoughts on the rising generation of German judo talent? Share your insights in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #DJBSichtungsturnier.