Uwe Juch has been awarded the 6th Dan by the German Judo Association (DJB) for his decades of service and significant contributions to the sport. The honor, signifying his commitment, was bestowed upon Juch for his work as a trainer, his leadership within judo associations, and his dedication to developing the next generation of athletes.
A Symbol of a Lifetime’s Work
The most visible change for Juch, who continues to coach at the PSV Schwerin dojo despite being in his late 60s, is his new belt. He has replaced his black belt with a red-and-white one. This marks a recognition of a journey that began in 1968. For nearly 60 years, Juch has remained on the judo mat, transitioning from an athlete to a mentor and coach.
“The 6th Dan is for me not only an award, but also a commission,” Juch said in response to the honor. “It’s about preserving knowledge, attitude, and tradition and passing it on to the next generation. I want to continue to contribute to the values of judo remaining alive.”
Coaching Young Athletes to National Prominence
What started as a hobby for Juch eventually became his profession. His career is marked by success, particularly in coaching young athletes to national prominence. As a full-time coach at various clubs, he guided his protégés to numerous medals at German championships and helped many athletes reach the national elite level.
He served as head coach at PSV Schwerin from 2015 until his retirement in 2025. Although he is now in retirement, Juch shows no signs of stepping away from the sport he loves. He continues to be a fixture at the PSV Schwerin dojo, passing on his knowledge to young judoka.
Leadership Beyond the Dojo
Juch’s impact extends far beyond his direct coaching duties. His résumé includes leadership positions within the judo community. Before his move to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, he was the chairman of the Judo Crocodiles Hildesheim, the chairman of the Hildesheim district judo association, and the head of an external training center in Hildesheim.
In his current home region, Juch has served as the youth leader for the Judo Association of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Judoverband MV) since 2017. He holds the Trainer-A-Lizenz, showing his expertise. He intends to continue in this role until a suitable successor is found, showing his dedication to the administrative and developmental side of the sport.
Recognizing Contributions to Youth Development
The award is seen as a recognition of Juch’s contributions, particularly in youth development.
“Of course, we at PSV Schwerin are very happy for Uwe Juch,” said Hagen Bischoff, the judo department head at PSV Schwerin. “He has more than earned this award for his commitment and his achievements in youth competitive sports.”
What’s Next for the 6th Dan
With his 6th Dan officially secured, Juch’s focus remains firmly on the future of his athletes. He continues to work with the youth at PSV Schwerin and hopes to see more medals from his young competitors at national youth championships in the coming years. The fire for judo, now symbolized by a red-and-white belt, continues to burn for Uwe Juch, ensuring his legacy in the sport will endure.
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