On 25th December 2022 Germany lost one of its most involved judo personalities as Mrs Ursula Braun, 87, passed away. For decades Uschi Braun walked the tatami as a photographer at all levels of competition from local to international level. She was also a pioneer of women's judo. Not only was she one of the first women with a federal referee A licence, she was also the first woman to hold a 6th dan in Germany.
From left to right: Peter Frese, former President of the German Judo Federation, Ursula Braun and Marius Vizer, IJF President
During all those years, she successfully managed the judo department of PSV Heidelberg, engaged with heart and soul. Until a few years ago, she was still actively leading the children's training in her club.
Through her services as a press officer in the Baden Judo Association, she was known far beyond the borders of Baden-Württemberg. She was an honorary member of the Baden Judo Association and, on the occasion of her 80th birthday, she received a special IJF plaque from President Marius Vizer, during the Düsseldorf Grand Slam.
The international judo family expresses its heartfelt condolences to Ursula Braun's family and friends.