By Gary Anderson

October 9 - Beijing 2008 gold medal winner Ole Bischof was one of a number of stars in Cologne to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the German Judo FederationOlympic champions Frank Wieneke and Ole Bischof have joined 2003 world champion Florian Wanner and some of Germany's current crop of judoka stars to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the German Judo Federation (DJB) in Cologne.

The celebrations included a Judo Festival, which saw rising stars from Germany and the Netherlands take part in an international match, as well as a Gala evening marking the national governing body's milestone.

Wanner joined Wieneke, the 1984 Los Angeles gold medallist, and Bischof, the Beijing 2008 champion, were joined by former world bronze medallist Claudia Malzahn, along with a number of Germany's top judoka.

They included 2013 World Championship medallists Miryam Roper and Laura Vargas Koch, along with Rijeka Grand Prix bronze medallist Iljana Marzok, who took part in demonstrations and workshops and signed autographs.

"The athletes had a lot of fun at the Judo Festival," said 27-year-old Marzok.

"Everything was well organised and there were so many workshops to attend.

"It was a pleasure to meet so many people.

"To practice with judoka from different age groups and skill levels I think that's the spirit of judo and that's what it makes so unique and wonderful."

German judo star Miryam Roper meets fans at the German Judo Federation 60th anniversary celebrations in CologneGerman judo star Miryam Roper meets fans at the German Judo Federation 60th anniversary celebrations in Cologne

























The highlight of the four-day festival, which included demonstrations from Taiko drummers from Gelsenkirchen and a kendo performance from the North Rhine- Westphalia Kendo Association, was a series of matches between up-and-coming judoka and some established stars, from Germany and the Netherlands.

The hosts emerged victorious, winning seven contests to the visitors three, with wins for Selina Dietzer, Christian Hellinger, Martyna Trajdos, Benjamin Münnich, Laura Vargas-Koch, Marc Odenthal and Jasmin Kuelbs of Germany while Birgit Ente, Jasper de Jong and Pascal Scherrenberg secured three consolation wins for the Dutch contingent.

German and Dutch judoka took part in an international match as part of the DJB's 60th anniversary celebrationsGerman and Dutch judoka took part in an international match as part of the DJB's 60th anniversary celebrations

























"I think that the German Judo Federation did a great job and the organisation was perfect," said Ente afterwards.

"The Judo Festival was four days and everybody around the world could visit it and were allowed to participate in several workshops.

"The friendly international contest between the Netherlands and Germany was the cherry on the cake.

"I guess that the people who were watching the 'judo gala' got a fantastic judo team show as it was sold out.

"We drove three hours and they arranged everything for us.

"The festival was also a great opportunity to see and meet friends and make new ones."

DJB President, Peter Frese drew the festival and celebrations to a close saying: "I would like to thank all the organisers [and] we have seen [the] national team show why judo is more than a sport."

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