For many years he was also a member of the Referee Commission of the German Judo Federation (DJB) and trained numerous judges. He was one of the main people responsible for the positive development of refereeing in the DJB. Many of his protégés were later internationally successful and are now active in leading positions in the DJB.

Klaus Friedrich lived the sport of judo and its rules. He dedicated himself to refereeing with passion and was also active as a coach, youth leader and fighter. Due to his outstanding work for the German Judo sport, he was awarded the 7th Dan by the DJB in 2000.

The judoka, who was born in 1945, has also left his mark off the tatami. He achieved international fame as a scientist and is still one of the top 100 international materials scientists.

On behalf of our European Judo Family and refereeing community we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the German Judo Federation on the passing of Klaus Friedrich. We are deeply saddened to hear such news and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends.

The post OLYMPIC REFEREE KLAUS FRIEDRICH PASSED AWAY appeared first on European Judo Union.

The following have been listed for the Olympic Games: 

1. Mr Vladimer NUTSIBIDZE (GEO)
2. Mr Raul CAMACHO (ESP)
3. Mr Veli-Matti KARINKANTA (FIN)
4. Mrs Roberta CHYURLIA (ITA)
5. Mr Matthieu BATAILLE (FRA)
6. Mr Evgeny RAKHLIN (RUS)
7. Mrs Annamaria FRIDRICH (HUN)

Mr Vladimer NUTSIBIDZE (GEO)

Mr Raul CAMACHO (ESP)

Mr Velli-matti KARINKANTA (FIN)

Mrs Roberta CHYURLIA (ITA)

Mr Matthieu BATAILLE (FRA)

Mr Evgeny RAKHLIN (RUS)

Mrs Annamaria FRIDRICH (HUN)

Mr Vladimer NUTSIBIDZE (GEO)

Mr Raul CAMACHO (ESP)

Mr Velli-matti KARINKANTA (FIN)

Mrs Roberta CHYURLIA (ITA)

Mr Matthieu BATAILLE (FRA)

Mr Evgeny RAKHLIN (RUS)

Mrs Annamaria FRIDRICH (HUN)

For the Paralympic Games, the following 8 referees have been selected: 

1. Mr Roland POIGER (AUT)
2. Mr Artur FANDO (BLR)
3. Mr Olivier DESROSES (FRA)
4. Mr Viktor HAVASI (HUN) 
5. Mr Jhon RAMAEKERS (NED)
6. Mrs Ioana BABIUC (ROU)
7. Mr Vassily SMOLIN (RUS)
8. Mr Nedim BAYAT (TUR)

Mr Roland POIGER (AUT)

Mr Artur FANDO (BLR)

Mr Olivier DESROSES (FRA)

Mr Jhon RAMAEKERS (NED)

Mrs Ioana BABIUC (ROU)

Mr Vassily SMOLIN (RUS)

Mr Nedim BAYAT (TUR)

Mr Viktor HAVASI (HUN)

The high level of our referees is evident in the ranking and we are proud to be represented by such a talented group of judges, wishing them the best of luck at the prestigious Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, 2021.

The post EUROPE SENDS 15 REFEREES TO OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES appeared first on European Judo Union.