Udo Quellmalz Joins German Judo Federation as U21 Women’s National Coach

Udo Quellmalz will be coach the German U21 women this year. Quellmalz, a legendary judoka and accomplished coach, who won Olympic gold in 1996 in Atlanta and is a two-time world champion (1991 in Barcelona, 1995 in Chiba), is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of young talent in Germany.

“I am excited about the opportunity to guide young athletes on their journey, supporting them both in their athletic and personal development,” said Quellmalz, whose remarkable career has spanned both competitive and professional achievements.  

After retiring from competition in 1998, Quellmalz served as Sports Director and National Coach for the British Judo Association for six years. From 2007 to 2012, he worked with the Austrian Judo Federation (ÖJV), initially as a technical coach and later as the national team coach. His global experience includes teaching at international schools in various countries and serving as a physical training director at Leipzig International School upon his return to Germany in 2017. Quellmalz has also contributed as an IJF Supervisor and educator for the IJF Academy. Most recently, he coached in Belgium before accepting his new role with the DJB.  
As the new U21 Women’s National Coach, Quellmalz will focus on developing young athletes and preparing them for international competition. His primary mission is to elevate the performance of U21 judokas and integrate them into the DJB’s high-performance framework, guiding them toward the global elite.  
“With Udo Quellmalz, we’ve gained a coach whose expertise and experience are a tremendous asset for youth development,” said DJB Sports Director Michael Bazynski. “After welcoming Marko Spittka, we are delighted to bring another one of Germany’s greatest judo stars back home as a coach. Their reputations and skills will significantly enhance our program.”