Nearly 50 judoka gathered in Bitburg’s Eifel region for the Judo-Verband Rheinland’s annual autumn kata event, blending multi-day technical workshops with the Open Rhineland Kata Championships.
Bitburg Workshop Draws Regional Competitors and Multiple Entries
The more than decade-old gathering, which originated from Interreg initiatives, brought participants together on October 17 and 18, 2026. Martina Knauf led the organization alongside the local judo department team of TV Bitburg e.V., maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that has drawn repeat attendees for years.
Workshops focused heavily on foundational kata serving as entry points for the 1st Dan, including the Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, and Ju-no-Kata. Instruction was led by regular clinicians Nico Hermes, Michael Hoffmann, and Thomas Hofmann, with additional support from Dieter Münnekhoff. Organizers noted that participation from neighboring regional associations—such as the Palatinate, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia—alongside a strong contingent from Luxembourg, proved essential. Officials stated that without the Luxembourgish athletes, some of whom entered up to five different events, running the tournament format would have been in doubt.
JVR Presents Honors to Key Event Contributors
During the official awards ceremony, JVR Franz Bayer presented honors to key contributors who sustain the annual event. Non-members of the JVR received gift baskets, including Nico Hermes, Nicole Hwasta, Dieter Münnekhoff, Michael Hoffmann, and Lisa Ferrlein.
Thomas Hofmann, a co-initiator of the former Southwest German Kata Championships who regularly serves as a JVR clinician, received the JVR Bronze Honor Pin. Cordula Wenner was awarded the JVR Gold Honor Pin for her continuous support of TV Bitburg. Meanwhile, Marina Knauf received the Sportbund Rheinland Gold Honor Pin, marking the first time the sports federation has bestowed the award upon a department head rather than a club chairperson.
Open Rhineland Kata Championship Medalists
Competitors wrapped up their training modules by squaring off in the Open Rhineland Kata Championships. Division winners and notable podium finishes included:
Nage-no-Kata: Sam Scholtes and Mark Blaxall (LUX/WJV) took top placement, followed by Guy Hudson and Jean Allard (LUX), Florian Heinen and Leif Rasch (JVR), and Filipp Gabriel and Kilian Luy (JVR).
Katame-no-Kata: Reinhard Köhler and Hubertus Orth (JVP/HJV) claimed victory, ahead of Jean Allard and Nico Hermes (LUX), Mark Blaxall and Sam Scholtes (WJV/LUX), Peter Deipenbrock and Volker Tworak (JVR), and Sanja Walska and Ulrike Poller (JVR).
Ju-no-Kata: Mark Blaxall and Sandrine Amann (WJV/LUX) finished first, with Ulrike Poller and Sonja Waleska (JRV) and Andrea Gesell and Heidi Theis (NWJV) rounding out the standings.
Kodokan-goshin-jutsu: Leah Pauluhn and Fabian Grunau (NWJV) led the division, followed by Nico Hermes and Jean Allard (LUX) and Sandrine Amann and Sam Scholtes (LUX).
Koshiki-no-Kata: Nico Hermes and Jean Allard (LUX) took the top spot ahead of Detlef Schulz and Kim Gaertner (NWJV).
Itsutsu-no-Kata: Nico Hermes and Jean Allard (LUX) secured first place, followed by Leah Pauluhn and Fabian Grunau (NWJV), Heidi Theis and Lutz Blaschke (NWJV), and Detlef Schulz and Kim Gaertner (NWJV).
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