Everyone will remember his passion for judo and his unfailing smile as well as his legendary kindness. He would come to see us regularly with envelopes containing the printed photos he had taken during a previous event. Everyone knew him and affectionately called him Felix.

Felix Baron von Solemacher died unexpectedly. The likeable judo photographer with the hat, another famous feature of him, was not only known in his beloved Bavaria but all over the world. He was highly respected by everyone for his appreciative manner and welcoming smile.

Countless judoka, including world and Olympic champions, have had their photos taken by him. Felix, who was always in a good mood, received a lot of encouragement for his posts and his ‘Good sunday picture’ on social media. We mourn this very special judo friend and will keep him in fond memories.

Rei!

See also
JudoPod
From the Tatami to Prime Time: Dennis van der Geest’s Unlikely Second Act

13. Feb. 2026 / What happens when a world heavyweight champion walks ...

Award
Capturing the Soul of Ippon: Emanuele Di Feliciantonio Rewarded in Paris

12. Feb. 2026 / At every stop of the World Judo Tour, the athletes ...

News
Swedish Judo Honoured as Federation of the Year

11. Feb. 2026 / Recognition at national level is always special but ...

Athlete Stories
Distria Krasniqi: I Don't See a Reason to Stop

09. Feb. 2026 / Distria Krasniqi (KOS) has claimed almost every medal ...

News
The IJF and Mongolia Sign for Four New Grand Slams

08. Feb. 2026 / As the Paris Grand Slam was drawing to a close, the ...

Paris GS 2026
A Spectacular Start to the Season in Paris

08. Feb. 2026 / The first tournament of the season has come to an end ...

Paris GS 2026
+100 kg: The Sun Rises Twice in Paris

08. Feb. 2026 / An all-Japanese final assigned the last medals of the ...

Paris GS 2026
+78 kg: Dicko Wins and Shows That Respect Always Comes First

08. Feb. 2026 / The last of the women’s categories to be contested ...

Paris GS 2026
-100 kg: Dota Arai Knocks it Out of the Park

08. Feb. 2026 / Dota Arai (JPN) and Anton Savytskiy (UKR) had been ...

Paris GS 2026
-78 kg: Bellandi is One of the Greats!

08. Feb. 2026 / Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE) vs Alice Bellandi (ITA) ...

Paris GS 2026
-90 kg: Tajima Throws to Take the Top Spot

08. Feb. 2026 / An all-Japanese final took centre-stage in Paris even ...

Paris GS 2026
-70 kg: The Top of the Podium Belongs to Szofi

08. Feb. 2026 / In the final of the lightest women’s category of ...

Paris GS 2026
-81 kg: Oino Knows How to Win

08. Feb. 2026 / Zelim Tckaev (AZE) enjoyed a smooth run to the final ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...