In this What’s Up Column we are looking at Judoka Andreas Höhl, who will compete at the European Universities Combat Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

In October 2018, Andreas Höhl reached his best result at Judo German University Championships so far. In the weight category till 81 kilogram, the student from Darmstadt won the silver medal. With this result he qualified for the European Universities Championships this year in Zagreb. The continental competition will be his first international championships. “In Zagreb will be very strong judoka from whole Europe. I want to fight well and show what I’ve trained for. I’m realistic. I know that I won’t have any chance to win a medal. Hence I’ll take step by step and think fight by fight”, says Andreas.



The 22 years old German is an ordinary student. He studies Electrical Engineering at Technical University Darmstadt. Every day he invests a lot of time in his studies. “I must organize my whole day to connect my studies with my sport. But it’s possible. In future I want to work in a company or stay at university to do my PhD”, says Höhl. Even if Andreas isn’t part of the German Judo national team, he practices hard to reach his goals. The judoka from Darmstadt is full of passion for his sport. For couple of years the 22-years old student fights for the Judo Club Rüsselsheim in the highest German division. There he fought against national and international top athletes. This year Andreas had to compete against Saeid Mollaei, the current world champion in his weight category. “I like the combat situation. You’re head to head with one opponent on the tatami. During the fight I try everything to win. It’s very intensive and you need your whole body and mind. But afterwards you shake hands with your opponent. This is the special philosophy in combat sports”, says Andreas with a smile on his face.



Andreas Höhl is deeply connected with the local university sport, too. After his practices on the tatami, he is a coach in the gym at University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt.  Therefore he experiences the special atmosphere in university sport every week. Andreas likes the connection of high performance sport and sports for all. This connection makes the national student tournaments extraordinary, as well. “Every year the German University Championships are quite special. You meet so many student athletes and can speak about your sport and your studies. Now I’m looking forward to do this in an international surrounding. The European Universities Championships will be my major event in my judo career so far”, explains the German.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.