University Judo Championships: Böcker, Grünewald and Weber Win Titles in Passau

At the start of the German University Championships in Judo in Passau, the titles in the individual categories have been awarded. 106 women and 205 men took to the mat on the first day of competition. In the highly anticipated finals up to 66 kg, up to 70 kg, and over 100 kg, Florian Böcker (FernUni Hagen), Tanja Grünewald (TU Munich), and Michael Weber (Uni Duisburg-Essen) prevailed.

The venue is the sports center of the University of Passau. The host city in southeastern Bavaria offers the infrastructure for the competitions with the university campus; for arrival and orientation, the university refers visitors and newcomers to its own information pages.

Close Finals Mark the Start in Passau

In the up to 66 kg class, there was a repeat of last year's final between Liam Herrmann (MH Hannover) and Florian Böcker (FernUni Hagen). In 2024, Herrmann had won the final – this time Böcker turned the tables. He won in the Golden Score overtime with Wazaari, thus putting the finishing touch on one of the closest fights of the day.

In the women's up to 70 kg class, the decision also came only after regular fight time. Tanja Grünewald (TU Munich) faced Ronja Buddenkotte (Uni zu Köln) in the final and won the overtime with a hold-down. The duel was also exciting because of the constellation: Grünewald entered as the defending champion in this weight class, while Buddenkotte had won the university championship title in the up to 78 kg class the previous year.

In the over 100 kg class, the final pairing from 2024 was also repeated – with the same winner. Michael Weber (Uni Duisburg-Essen) again prevailed over Sebastian Wendt (Uni Hannover), confirming his position at the top of this category.

Reunions on the Mat in Several Weight Classes

The first day of competition was notably marked by reunions: repeats from last year and duels between former titleholders showed how stable the top performers have become in the university championships. Especially in tournaments where studies, training, and competition planning often have to be organized in parallel, this continuity is a sporting signal: those who repeatedly fight their way to the final demonstrate not only daily form but also reliable competition routine throughout the season.

The fact that several decisions were only made in overtime also underlined the density in the field. In Passau, small details – a hold-down, a score in Golden Score – decided between gold and silver. For the further course, this points to team competitions in which encounters are likely to be similarly close.

All Winners of the First Day of Competition

Among the women, the winners are:

• Sophie Seemann (–48 kg)
• Karina Sydykova (–52 kg)
• Darja Dorowskich (–57 kg)
• Natascha Lauber (–63 kg)
• Tanja Grünewald (–70 kg)
• Jasmin Heinz (–78 kg)
• Lilli Louise Wojta (+78 kg)

Among the men, the titles go to:

• Luke Cabecana (–60 kg)
• Florian Böcker (–66 kg)
• Nouri Günther (–73 kg)
• Maxim Malsch (–81 kg)
• Leon Schreder (–90 kg)
• Ilias Küster (–100 kg)
• Michael Weber (+100 kg)

The other podium places in the individual classes are as follows:

Women's Podium Places

• up to 48 kg: Sophie Seemann ahead of Zoé Hamdan, Christin Wolz, and Lilian Hartmann.
• up to 52 kg: Karina Sydykova ahead of Janine Hardenberg, Nikita Krieger, and Larissa Greis.
• up to 57 kg: Darja Dorowskich ahead of Franziska Schaubmar, Sophie Scharnberg, and Jadzia Münch.
• up to 63 kg: Natascha Lauber ahead of Hanna Sedlmair, Rabea Hohmann, and Angelina Seibelt.
• up to 70 kg: Tanja Grünewald ahead of Ronja Buddenkotte, Lisa Oberföll, and Emily Gränitz.
• up to 78 kg: Jasmin Heinz ahead of Franziska Hänle, Bianca Schmidt, and Helen Werling.
• over 78 kg: Lilli Louise Wojta ahead of Mia Nunweiler, Carla Schlüter, and Lara Schurz.

Men's Podium Places

• up to 60 kg: Luke Cabecana ahead of Max Werner, Luca Harmening, and Toni Skoberne.
• up to 66 kg: Florian Böcker ahead of Liam Herrmann, Falk Hobein, and Viktor Becker.
• up to 73 kg: Nouri Günther ahead of Viktor Wandtke, Lino Dello Russo, and Nikolas Menzl.
• up to 81 kg: Maxim Malsch ahead of Pascal Bruckmann, Gerrit Noack, and Linus Schreiber.
• up to 90 kg: Leon Schreder ahead of Marius Kölblinger, Marco Frey, and Lukas Ohneiser.
• up to 100 kg: Ilias Küster ahead of Finn Moritz Augustin, Christoph Boersma, and Ahmed Hadziavic.
• over 100 kg: Michael Weber ahead of Sebastian Wendt, Felix Wagner, and Robert Rockenfeller.

With the individual decisions, the first stage of the championships is complete. On Sunday, the German University Championships in Passau will continue with the team competitions.