Seven judoka from the TSV 1886 Lichtenberg e.V. judo department made their international tournament debut at the Potsdam Open on October 17 and 18.
Competing on five mats against a field of 870 athletes from nations including the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, and Denmark, the club secured multiple top-ten finishes and podium spots.
The Lichtenberg contingent included Damian Werner, Lea Mütze, Erik Kammer, Luis Werner, Gregor Lindner, Marie Klotsche, and Moritz Lindner. The weekend marked an important advance for the club.
Damian Werner opened the competition on Saturday in the U11 category, securing a seventh-place finish after winning one of his bouts. In the U18 category, Luis Werner fought through a competitive weight class to take fifth place, while Erik Kammer also finished seventh in the same bracket.
The evening session saw the adult competitors achieve further success. Gregor Lindner and Moritz Lindner both earned bronze medals, while Marie Klotsche advanced to her final to take home the silver.
On Sunday, Lea Mütze added to the club’s medal tally by securing a bronze in a large field. The athletes were supported throughout the two-day event by their coach Julian, who accompanied the team from Saturday morning until the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday afternoon.
The judo department’s recent success coincides with the centennial of the local gymnasium used by the TSV 1886 Lichtenberg e.V. The building serves as a hub for various departments, including football, volleyball, gymnastics, and table tennis.
On September 18, the club held a celebration at the gymnasium to mark its 100th anniversary. The event, supported by the local fire department, the Simsonverein, and the Förderverein Gemeinde Lichtenberg, brought together club members and the wider community to commemorate the building’s history.
The judo department at TSV 1886 Lichtenberg has been active for 35 years. The program was established largely through the efforts of Reinhard Mann, with subsequent development led by trainers including Udo Mann, Karina Gummich, Ralf Schreiter, Stefan Gocht, Julian Mann, and Emely Huste. These instructors have integrated the club into local community life, participating in village festivals and regional projects.
Despite the club’s small size, its athletes have maintained a competitive record, including two fifth-place and two seventh-place finishes at German national championships, alongside multiple Mitteldeutsche (Central German) titles. The club emphasizes that these results are achieved while training against athletes from specialized sports schools who often train daily.
Looking forward, the department aims to resume its tradition of hosting a large judo camp, which had been paused due to planning challenges. The club continues to prioritize the community and friendship-building aspects of the sport, maintaining long-standing partnerships with various clubs across Saxony.
Keep reading
