German former Junior World Champion Sappho Coban retires

German judoka Sappho Coban retired as a professional judoka. Last year she won the European Open in Sarajevo in a new weight category U63kg, but the damage was already done due to many injuries and impossible chances. Coban debuted as a cadet medalling in 2010 in Zagreb and started to win international events.

First Coban was successful U52kg with a Junior European and also captured gold at the Junior worlds in 2013 and European U23 title in 2014. It was her most successful period. She stepped up to U57kg and although she won another U23 European title U57kg in 2015, Coban didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio. In 2021 Theresa Stoll competed at the Olympics for Germany. With the German team she took bronze medals at European team championships twice. Since the Rio Games the German women's coach Claudiu Pusa went for Theresa Stoll as prior athlete in the U57kg category. 

Coban: “I’m ending my career as a professional judo athlete. Honestly it was the toughest decision to make in my life. Judo was always a huge part and I had a great time traveling the world.

Of course there are always ups and downs but in the end I learned most with the downsides. I think judo made me a better person and told me many lessons. I am proud to be the first female junior world champion for Germany ???????? and also for every other medal I won on my path.

I happy for all the people I met due to judo, but now it’s time for something different.

After more than 10 years in the (junior) national team I hadn’t the will to fight like I used to have. Also after a few injuries, some more serious than the others, my body was hurting most of the time.

I think many people don’t know about how though it really is in a professional sport. But after all the sacrifice it takes I wanted some more free time. And with all that in my mind it wasn’t possible to be the very best I could be and couldn’t fit my standards, but in the end I’m happy with my decision and curious for my next steps in life.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me throughout my career. Without you nothing had been possible. And for everyone who is making the life of a German judoka harder than it’s already is, you are the problem in German judo. For the next generation I wish all the best.

I will return to the tatami and give something back, but first I’m going to enjoy my “new” life.”