SC Berlin mourns the passing of coach Jochen Bech

German coach and former multiple German champion Jochen Bech passed away on Saturday at the age of 69. Members of his club SC Berlin are mourning for their successful fighter and coach after his illness. His life was judo, which began in his hometown Görlitz. At the age of 16, he was the youngest member of the Dan graduate in East Germany.

Bech showed his talent  at an early age with a bronze medal at the Spartakiade 1966 in Berlin. Jochen Bech was twice DDR champion, won the 1977 final at the Potsdam Tournament against the eventual world champion Bernard Tchoullouyan of France and he took bronze with the European Cup team of SC Dynamo Hoppegarten.

After completion of his active mat career began his coaching activity in the junior or adult area in the club. Together with his friend, the two-time world champion Detlef Ultsch, he oversaw the team of Berlin, which won the European Cup in 1992. In 1997, Jochen Bech was appointed coach for the German team. He coached such successful athletes as the Olympic starters Michael Pinske and Sven Maresch as well as Tino Bierau, Robert Dumke and Nico Kanning.

Bech was characterized by a high level of expertise and a consistent attitude in the enforcement of Judo values ​​compared to his athletes to be supported. He lost his last fight against an insidious disease.