The German national para judo team is heading to Tbilisi, Georgia, for the World Championships carrying the momentum of a successful home European Championships. Just six weeks after claiming two silver medals and one bronze in Heidelberg, a four-person German squad will compete on the global stage from September 25 to 27.
A Global Stage and Paralympic Qualifier in Tbilisi
The upcoming world championships in Tbilisi serve as a crucial milestone. As head coach Carmen Bruckmann noted, the tournament marks the official start of the new qualification cycle for the Paralympic Games coming up in two years in Los Angeles. Because of this, the event acts as a significant benchmark against both familiar opponents and entirely new challengers.
The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) divides competitors into two primary categories. The J1 class features athletes who are blind or nearly blind, identified by a red circle on the back number of their judogi, whom referees escort to the center of the mat. The J2 class is designated for athletes with specific, medically defined visual impairments.
Medal Contenders and Young Prospects
Germany’s roster features veteran leaders alongside promising young talent. Isabell Thal and Daniel Goral anchor the team following their silver-medal performances at the Heidelberg European Championships. Both athletes have repeatedly established themselves among the global elite in their respective start classes, with Bruckmann expressing confidence that they will once again contend for podium finishes.
Alongside the veterans, the squad includes two rising competitors whom Bruckmann describes as investments in the future: 21-year-old Béla Heinze and 19-year-old Samuel van Melle. Heinze secured a strong fifth-place finish at the Heidelberg tournament, capping a rapid upward trajectory. Van Melle joined the training base in Heidelberg in August, balancing his athletic career with law studies. According to the coaching staff, this shift toward professional training is designed to accelerate his athletic development.
Absences and Roster Adjustments
The team will travel to Georgia without European bronze medalist Vanessa Wagner. In addition, Lennart Sass—who won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games—remains sidelined. Sass missed the home European Championships in Heidelberg due to an incomplete classification status, and that status remains unchanged ahead of the world championships.
Despite these absences, the team atmosphere remains exceptionally positive. Speaking on the quick turnaround between major competitions, Bruckmann pointed out that facing two marquee events within a few short weeks is standard practice in international para judo. The squad approaches the schedule with routine focus, aiming to channel the strong feedback and positive momentum gathered from competing on home soil.
Competition Schedule and Outlook
Competition in Tbilisi runs across three days, from September 25 to 27. Isabell Thal is scheduled to step onto the mat first for the German delegation on Friday, while the team’s three male competitors take to the action on Saturday.
Worth a look
