Athletics scholarship holders 2019/20

Ambitious and at the top of their game – TU Dresden’s 2019 athletics scholarship holders

After TU Dresden’s athletics scholarship program launched in 2018, it was so well-received that fourteen students applied for the just eight athletics scholarships on offer for the 2019/20 academic year.

Elisabeth Lowke (rowing) and Jakob Dieckmann (ultimate frisbee) received an athletics scholarship at TU Dresden in 2018, and have had their scholarships renewed for this academic year.

On this page, this year’s scholarship holders introduce themselves:

Name: Tom-Florian Borrack                Degree program: Teacher Training for Math and Physics                                    Sport: Run archery

“I like run archery because it combines the precision of archery with the stamina of running. My aim is to reach the top ten in the European cup and to win more German championship titles.

As my sport is still largely unknown to the general public, there aren't a lot of funding opportunities. Thanks to the TU Dresden athletics scholarship, I can buy new sports equipment, and therefore improve my athletic performance.”

Name: Jakob Dieckmann                      Degree program: Mechatronics               Sport: Ultimate Frisbee

“I love the spirit of the game in ultimate frisbee. Even at an international level, there aren’t any referees – the players themselves are responsible for reporting fouls, meaning the game is both intense and fair.

The athletics scholarship helps me cover the high competition fees. It also allows me to give more attention to the sport while succeeding in my studies.

Name: Leon Kaufmann-Ludwig         Degree program: Economics and Engineering                                             Sport: Short-track speed skating

“The next Winter Olympic Games are opening in less than three years’ time. Everyday I wake up thinking about experiencing the opening ceremony in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium as an athlete in Germany’s national short-track speed skating team and winning in the Olympic games.

The athletics scholarship at TU Dresden allows me to pursue my studies and my sport with determination, consistency and at a high level, so I don't have to worry about financial matters and can still achieve top performance.”

Name: Leon Hollas                                  Degree program:  Mechanical Engineering                                               Sport: Archery

“Together with my team, I’ve worked hard to reach a high international level this year. In the coming season, I want to build on this level with my team and also in solo competitions.

The scholarship enables me to concentrate on my sport and helps me to afford equipment. In addition, a scholarship of this kind is a special honor and accolade, motivating me to achieve the best I can in my sport.

Name: Tom Liebscher                        Degree program: Transport Engineering Sport: Canoe sprint

“As an active member of the German Canoing National Team, I’m also an example to others and have social responsibility outside of my sport. I can't rest on my sporting laurels, but also want to build a solid foothold for the time to come.

Since it’s a niche sport, there isn’t any prize money. The athletic scholarship offers me security.”

Name: Elisabeth Lowke                         Degree program: Civil Engineering      Sport: Rowing

“In the last few months, the scholarship allowed me to make tremendous changes to my training routine. Thanks to this financial support, I could reduce the hours I spent on my side job in exchange for training hours, without impacting my studies.

I want to be able to compete in rowing at a national level and even gain experience at an international level. The renewal of my scholarship is is a critical form of support for me.”

Name: Bryan Nießen                          Degree program: Water Management    Sport: Basketball

“I want to reach the playoffs with my team and make it as far as possible in the these final games. I also want to represent TU Dresden to the best of my abilities in the university championships.

The double load of academics and athletics requires a good diet and the best possible equipment for effective training and a successful competition. Thanks to the scholarships, all of this is possible.”

Name: Bastian Rudolf                           Degree program: Economics and Engineering                                               Sport: High jump

“I love the feeling of executing the perfect jump – when you have the feeling that you’re flying for a moment. I aim to participate in the Olympics Games.

Thanks to the scholarship, I can have a balanced diet, get the equipment I need and finance my participation in training camps.”