Luise Malzahn announced farewell to top judo

The athlete with the second most medals in the IJF World Tour ever has announced to retire. Luise Malzahn said it’s enough after more than 1000 contest in the international scene in all events. She celebrated her farewell in her hometown Halle among friends and family who supported her for a period of 23 years.

Luise Malzahn: “It was emotional madness and once again I am sure that I made the right decision.” Malzahn captured 35 IJF World Tour medals, four behind leader Urantsetseg Munkhbat. She claimed 42 World Cup medals in total all over the world. She won a World Championships bronze medal in 2015 and was in the final of two European Championships in 2015 and 2020 and captured four European medals in total. She finished fifth at the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

Malzahn: "I am infinitely grateful for the time I experienced, for the ups and downs, victories and defeats, grateful for all my opponents on the mat who made me the strong woman I am today. New tasks are now waiting for me and I look forward to being able to watch judo from the edge of the mat in the future!” she announced at her facebook account.

Her sister Claudia (39) also competed at the Olympics in 2012 and won medals at European and World Championships. Last year Luise won the Grand Slam of Baku that she won’t be defending this year and the city where she was the most successful fighting in four finals, well five including the European Games.

Her career started as a youngster of just 14 years at the youth events where she picked up the medals quickly, followed by the German youth title in 2005. She would win more than ten German titles over all age categories including five senior titles. She won the Cadet European title in 2006 and faced countless opponents representing the German team in various team Championships. She won a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships with opponents such as Akari Ogata, Kayla Harrison and Mayra Aguiar. Born in 1990 she is from the same year as Kayla Harrison, Audrey Tcheumeo, Shori Hamada and Natalie Powell to mention a few competitors.

She fought more than 10 battles over years with Marhinde Verkerk, Ana Velensek, Natalie Powell, Daria Pogorzelec and Madeleine Malonga.