80 years of VfL Wolfsburg: Judo legend Glahn shapes the arena!

80 years of VfL Wolfsburg: Judo legend Glahn shapes the arena!

Wolfsburg has been considered a true stronghold of judo since the 1970s. VfL Wolfsburg, under the leadership of Klaus Glahn, has shaped the German judo scene for decades. In the period up to 1990, the club achieved numerous national and international successes that consolidated the city's reputation far beyond its borders. The reasons for this are many, but Glahn is without a doubt a key figure in this story. [WAZ]. was Olympic. His successes set standards because he laid the foundation for the judo tradition in Wolfsburg.

Another pioneer like Josef Neckermann supported the sport of judo in Germany and founded the German Sports Aid. Under his aegis, a performance center and optimal training opportunities were created in Wolfsburg. These developments helped Glahn and many other top athletes move to Wolfsburg to benefit from the best conditions. The reinforcement at the time from VW board member Kurt Lotz ensured that the judoka were able to take advantage of the best training opportunities.

The golden age of judo

In the years between 1972 and 1990, the Wolfsburg team repeatedly revealed its strength. Under Glahn's leadership, the team collected title after title and was German team champion several times. At times, VfL Wolfsburg had an impressive 800 members in its judo department, one of the strongest in the entire club. In addition to Glahn, Frank Wieneke, who won Olympic gold in 1984, was also one of the outstanding athletes who were brought to Wolfsburg. Lothar Nest emphasizes that the judoka's successes were not only visible in national events, but also received international attention.

However, Klaus Glahn's Olympic successes went beyond the gold and silver medals. In 1972 he was again Olympic silver medalist and between 1956 and 1973 he won the title of German heavyweight champion seven times. These achievements made him a legend in judo and shaped the history of this sport in Germany.

The end of an era

VfL Wolfsburg's heyday in judo came to an end in the 1990s when VW's support for the sport was reduced. In 1994 the Bundesliga team was deregistered. Despite these setbacks, Klaus Glahn remains loyal to judo even in old age. He is actively involved with the young judoka Sarah Ischt, who became German champion in 2024. Together with his colleagues, he founded a support group to support their preparation for the Olympics. Judobund describes the diversity and historical depth of judo, which is learned and taught in many forms - an indication that the tradition lives on.

Klaus Glahn's commitment to the sport of judo and his support of young talents are worrying and show that even after the end of his active career, his love for judo remains unbroken. As sport itself teaches: giving up doesn't count, and every setback is an opportunity to keep working and growing. Wolfsburg will continue to be known in the future as a judo stronghold, in whose history Klaus Glahn plays a prominent role.