13 Judoka nominated for the German Olympic team

The German Judo federation announced the team for the Olympic Games in Rio. National coaches Detlef Ultsch and Michael Bazynski gave arguments for their choices in a press conference and all athletes were nominated to the German National Olympic Committee.

Most luxury situation was in the men U100kg where numbers 5 and 6 of the World Ranking Karl-Richard Frey was selected instead of 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Dimitri Peters. Frey was silver medallist at the World Championships. Also a choice for Sven Maresch over Alexander Wieczerzak U81kg. Marc Odenthal was preferred over Aaron Hildebrand U90kg, both were very close at 30 and 32. In the women’s divisions U57kg Miryam Roper (16) was chosen over Viola Waechter (17).

Women’s coach Michael Bazynski said "We will do the utmost to prepare the nominated athletes in the best shape at the start of Rio."

With a balanced team of 13 athletes the Germans would be pleased with another four Olympic medals like in London, but in reality Germany has four aces. Vice world champion Karl-Richard Frey U100kg, European Champion U63kg Martyna Trajdos, double European silver medallist and 2013 vince world champion Laura Vargas Koch U70kg and World Championships bronze medallist Luise Malzahn U78kg. The rest could bring a surprise.

Veteran and athlete speaker Miryam Roper said: "it’s always special to be selected for the German Olympic team. Roper is the oldest in the team with 34 years in August. Jasmin Kuelbs the youngest with 24. The average age is 27, an experienced team.

Men

U60kg: Tobias Englmaier, TSV München-Großhadern, Bayern

U66kg: Sebastian Seidl, TSV Abensberg, Bayern

U73kg: Igor Wandtke, Judo Team Hannover, Niedersachen

U81kg: Sven Maresch, SC Berlin, Berlin

U90kg: Marc Odenthal, 1. Judo Club Mönchengladbach, Nordrhein-Westfalen

U100kg: Karl-Richard Frey, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Nordrhein-Westfalen

+100kg: André Breitbarth, SFV Europa Braunschweig, Niedersachsen

Women

U52kg: Mareen Kräh, KSC Asahi Spremberg, Brandenburg

U57kg: Miryam Roper, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Nordrhein-Westfalen

U63kg: Martyna Trajdos, Eimsbütteler TV, Hamburg

U70kg: Laura Vargas-Koch, Erster Berliner Judo Club 1922, Berlin

U78kg: Luise Malzahn, SV Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt

+78kg: Jasmin Külbs, 1. JC Zweibrücken, Saarland