Rainer Hussong, a long-serving official of the German Judo Federation and holder of the 7th Dan, passed away in early September at the age of 79, judo-rheinland.de reported. His death marks the loss of a figure in German and regional martial arts administration, whose career spanned nearly four decades at the national federation’s headquarters alongside extensive grassroots leadership in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Decades of Service at the German Judo Federation
From July 1979 until February 2016, Hussong worked as a full-time staff member at the central office of the Deutscher Judo-Bund (DJB) in Frankfurt am Main, serving as youth secretary. According to official federation records cited by judobund.de, he managed national championship lists, organized countless youth assemblies, and acted as a primary coordinator for youth activities. His responsibilities extended to major international initiatives, including the supervision of the long-standing German-Japanese youth exchange program, coordination of the male squad’s winter training camps in Eggberge, and leadership roles at the 2001 World Championships youth camp in Munich. He also provided critical administrative support for the integration of judo into the “Jugend trainiert für Olympia” school sports competitions.
Grassroots Impact at PSV Mainz and Regional Governance
Alongside his national duties, Hussong maintained deep roots in club and regional sports. He served as the head of the judo department and treasurer for his home club, the Polizeisportverein Mainz (PSV Mainz), where he spearheaded a sister-city youth exchange program with Hamamatsu, Japan. Regionally, he presided over the former Judoverband Rheinhessen in 1978 and tested countless athletes for Dan and Kyu ranks throughout the Rheinhessen/Nahe district. Reflecting on his multifaceted career, judo-rheinland.de noted that Hussong was a defining personality on and off the mat as a judoka, trainer, referee, and functionary, while judobund.de highlighted that he remained a reliable, accessible point of contact for generations of athletes and coaches.
Governing Bodies Honor Hussong's Dedication to Youth Judo
Regional and national governing bodies have issued formal farewells to mark his passing. The Judo-Verband Rheinland acknowledged the loss of an extraordinary personality and role model for its members. Meanwhile, the German Judo Federation extended its deepest condolences to his wife, daughter, and extended family, emphasizing that Hussong viewed his decades of labor not merely as an occupation, but as a lifelong vocation dedicated to the development of youth judo in Germany.
Worth a look
