Greifswald's Alva Pannwitz wins two bronze medals at the European Championships!

Greifswald's Alva Pannwitz wins two bronze medals at the European Championships!

In the last few days, the German grappling team, led by Alva Pannwitz and Gamila Kanew, has caused a sensation. At the European Grappling Championships in Warsaw, the 19-year-old athlete from Greifswald won two bronze medals in the grappling and grappling-gi (U20) disciplines, achieving an impressive success for herself and her team. Pannwitz competed in only her second squad tournament and, with her potential, was already able to distinguish herself as runner-up in grappling. This not only shows their skills, but also the excellent work being done in the German grappling scene. According to [NDR].

The 29-year-old Kanew herself can now proudly look back on the title of European champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which she recently won in Lisbon in the black belt middleweight division. To achieve this title, she had to compete in three exciting fights, with the decisive victory in the final against the Canadian defending champion Bruna Ricalde Maciel only coming in the last ten seconds of the fight. These successes prove how strong the athletes from Greifswald are in international comparison. Kanew's pride in her team is evident; She was active as a fighter until 2024 and has won numerous titles, including gold at the World Combat Games 2023. Since this year, she has devoted her time entirely to the role of national coach and is preparing her team for the upcoming World Championships in Serbia in October.

Strong in the team

A total of three other athletes from Greifswald took part in the European Championships. While Matti Birken and Alva Pannwitz were able to win their first fight, they unfortunately had to give up the second fight. Ramesh Roth was unable to prevail in the first round duel. Nevertheless, the result reflects the strengthening and growth of the sport in Germany.

• Alva Pannwitz: 2 Bronzemedaillen (Grappling, Grappling-Gi)
• Gamila Kanew: Europameisterin im Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Matti Birken: Erster Kampf gewonnen, zweiter verloren
• Ramesh Roth: Erster Kampf verloren

A look at the development of the sport shows that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which was founded in Brazil in the 1920s by the Gracie family, is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. With over 200 schools across the country, particularly in major cities such as Berlin and Munich, the number of practitioners is constantly growing. The European Championships, considered the largest BJJ tournament in Europe, are a testament to the dynamic nature of this sport. According to BJJ100, BJJ is often described as “human chess” because it requires strategic thinking and technique, making it a fascinating challenge for athletes.

The successes of the athletes from Greifswald are not only a reason for joy for the region, but also a sign for the future of the sport in Germany. With a strong trainer like Gamila Kanew and talented young fighters like Alva Pannwitz, the German grappling sport is on the right track and can hope for further success.