Jolina Reinhold claims gold in Dakar after frantic pre-final intervention
Jolina Reinhold claimed the gold medal in the 63-kilogram judo division at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, securing the tournament victory with an ippon in the final against India’s Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada. The 17-year-old athlete from TSV Abensberg entered the final day facing sudden logistical hurdles when officials ruled her judogi non-compliant with Olympic regulations.
Organizers stepped in before the final, hastily sewing on a back patch so she could compete on equal terms. At the same time, tournament officials lifted a temporary ban that had kept her coach, Claudia Straub, isolated on the stands for earlier rounds. I thought it was really nice of the organizers, because I was already in the zone and then they said, ‘Give me your suit quickly, we’ll sew your back patch on and everyone should have the same chances, so your coach is allowed back in now,’
Reinhold recounted. The athlete, who carried the German flag at the opening ceremony alongside beach volleyball player Filo Wüst, described the win as truly indescribable. Simply a mega feeling.
Overcoming injuries and weight class transition
Reinhold’s path through the competition in Senegal followed a year defined by physical setbacks and a necessary weight class adjustment.
During the 2025 season, she suffered an injury while holding the top spot in the world rankings for the under-18 57-kilogram category, forcing her to withdraw from the world championship and miss the remainder of the year.
Resurgence through the 2026 season
By early 2026, health concerns surrounding continuous weight cutting prompted her to move up to the 63-kilogram division. That transition yielded four tournament victories, a German national title, and a world championship crown during the summer before her arrival in Dakar.
Early inspiration and family support
Reinhold’s journey began at age three, but the specific ambition for the Olympic Games sparked when she was roughly seven years old. While watching a league match, she saw judoka Sebastian Seidl, who had just been nominated for the Olympics. After her father explained that the Games were the pinnacle of the sport where only the best compete, she recalled, it clicked in my head, ‘ok, I want to go there too.’
Her development was bolstered by her parents, who managed her logistics, including medical paperwork and transportation, before she moved to a shared apartment in Großhadern to focus on her training.
Balancing elite athletics with police training
Away from the international judo circuit, Reinhold finished school and began a specialized sports promotion program with the police in Dachau. She currently lives in a shared apartment close to the training base in Großhadern, managing a demanding daily schedule split between rigorous training blocks and professional responsibilities. Sometimes I would like to go to a birthday or a meeting with friends,
she admitted, noting the limited free time due to training and travel.
Eyes on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Following her success at the Youth Olympic Games, attention has turned toward whether the German teenager can contend for a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Her coach, Claudia Straub, noted the athlete’s exceptional focus during training sessions, describing the gold medal in Dakar as merely the first step on an extended competitive agenda. I have rarely had anyone who has such a focus as Jolina. It is intense,
Straub said. While Reinhold maintains a disciplined approach, she also keeps her composure by engaging in lighthearted activities, such as performing social media dances on the mat during long waiting periods between bouts. With her transition to the senior ranks approaching, the question remains how quickly she can adapt her Youth Olympic success to the adult circuit; both athlete and coach have yet to confirm the exact timeline for her first senior international appearances.
Worth a look
