Dana Manukyan secured another podium finish for Lübeck at the Nansei-Cup in Berlin-Steglitz. The result continues a competitive autumn stretch that has seen the judoka travel across northern Germany under the guidance of coach Vitali Frank.
Manukyan Extends Autumn Run with Berlin Podium Finish
According to regional sports reports, the tournament brought together approximately 400 young athletes from six federal states to compete in the southwestern district of the capital.
Circuit Stops in Hamburg, Neumünster, and Berlin
The Berlin fixture followed consecutive tournament appearances in Hamburg and Neumünster for the Lübeck delegation.
On September 13, coach Vitali Frank accompanied Manukyan to the capital for the regional competition. Organizers named the event after the Nansei Islands of Japan because Steglitz occupies a similar southwestern geographic orientation relative to the city center.
Four Hundred Young Judokas Compete Across Divisions
While Manukyan represented Lübeck in the brackets, the tournament floor featured competitors spanning the U11, U13, and U15 age groups. The event drew roughly 400 participants from six different federal states for its second staging.
For numerous competitors, the trip marked their first tournament appearance outside of Brandenburg or their debut in competitive judo altogether. That milestone led to heightened pre-competition tension.
Sauna-Like Conditions Test Youth Brackets
To maximize mat time for the youth categories, tournament officials structured the competition into weight-close groups. This format ensured that every athlete stepped onto the tatami for at least three separate bouts, regardless of early outcomes.
Competitors utilized high energy and physical commitment to translate training drills into live action under challenging arena conditions.
Participants contended with high temperatures inside the venue. Attendees and clubs described the space as having a “saunafeeling” due to the combination of packed competition blocks and late-summer heat in Berlin.
Despite the climate inside the hall, athletes across the divisions successfully implemented technical fundamentals taught in their home dojos, earning recognition and podium placements as the brackets concluded.
Building Momentum on the Regional Calendar
For Lübeck, the continued travel schedule underscores an active developmental autumn for Manukyan under Frank’s coaching oversight, building toward subsequent fixtures on the regional calendar.
