Athletics scholarship 2023-24

The athletics scholarship was awarded for the sixth time during the 2023/2024 academic year. Eight student-athletes have been awarded the scholarship. 

The group welcomes back several repeat scholarship holders: In addition to Selina Stamer (karate), these include Sina Stöckmann (volleyball), Jonas Wagner (high jump), Mara Schöley (dance), Simon Schubert (rowing) and Tom Liebscher-Lucz (canoe sprint).

Katja Fuhrmann (rowing) and Robin Bendig (short track speed skating) have received the scholarship for the first time.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients!

Name: Robin Bendig
Degree program: Political Science
Sport: Short-track speed skating

I started with short track speed skating in 2009. Before that I practiced combat sport. What I love about short track speed skating is the speed on the ice, the extremely tight turns, and the rapid overtaking maneuvers while skating.
My greatest successes so far have been winning the German Championships several times, 5^th place with the relay team at the 2020 European Championships, and top 15 finishes at the European Championships and in the 2023 World Cup in the 1500m.
Balancing sport and uni is often complicated – especially since the winter semester exam period coincides with the peak season for my sport in February and March. However, thanks to the cooperation agreement between Olympiastützpunkt Dresden (Dresden’s Olympic training center) and TU Dresden, it is possible to reschedule exams in consultation with the professors.
The athletics scholarship is an immense helps for me when it comes to managing the high costs of my sports equipment. Custom skates that provide the perfect feel on the ice can easily cost over EUR 3,000. I also often need new blades, as they always wear out or might break during a competition.

Name: Katja Fuhrmann
Degree program: Business Information Systems
Sport: Rowing

I love it when I notice that all the hours I've spent training on the boat and on land are paying off. 
My sport has taught me to persevere, even when motivation is low. This also helps me in my studies.

My greatest sporting success was the European U23 Championships in 2020, where me and my team won the title in the eight.
My biggest dream is to participate in the Olympics. 

Thanks to the athletics scholarship, I have fewer financial worries, and I’m able to combine competitive sports with my studies.

Name: Tom Liebscher-Lucz
Degree program: Bachelor’s degree in Transport Economics
Sport: Canoe sprint

In life, it is crucial to have a plan B up your sleeve. That’s why I am continuously trying to keep up my studies alongside training. It’s not always easy, but it’s an important safety net.

This scholarship has provided excellent and critical support for this balancing act over the years. We always have a personal contact at the university and have even gained a certain degree of acceptance among university staff and the student body?. That’s very important. 

Name: Mara Schöley
Degree program: Teacher Training for Secondary Schools
Sport: Jazz & modern / contemporary dance

I love how the combination of music and movement can tell stories and convey emotions. 
It’s also a team sport. Working towards and achieving a goal together with the others is also very rewarding for me.

The athletics scholarship provides me with financial support for costumes, travel and lodging for tournaments, training clothes, and a good, balanced diet. 

Name: Simon Schubert
Degree program: Teacher Training for Elementary Schools
Sport: Rowing

What I love about rowing is the freedom on the water.
In competitive sports, I have learned to always keep my goal in mind to get through difficult times, which also helps me in my studies.

My goal for the coming year is to make the national team.

Name: Selina Stamer
Degree program: Medicine
Sport: Karate

 Karate is an extremely diverse sport which brings together a wide variety of components. The unpredictability of every fight is what makes it so exciting.
Competitive sport has taught me that after every setback, you can always move on and there is always a solution. This also helps me in my studies, as does the excellent cooperation with the TUD.

My greatest sporting achievements are two 3^rd places and one 5^th place at world ranking tournaments, as well as being accepted into the national squad. I am also very proud to have achieved a goal I set myself a long time ago at the beginning of the year: To get into the top 10 of the world ranking. 

Without the athletics scholarship, I wouldn't be able to afford important competitions and trips to training camps. Thanks to the support of the TUD, I am able to take part in both training and world ranking tournaments.

Name: Sina Stöckmann
Degree program: Geography
Sport: Volleyball

I love the variety of volleyball. On the one hand, you work as a team and have to work well together. On the other hand, your own technical execution, athleticism and feel for the ball play a big role. 

My goal for this coming year is to complete my Bachelor’s degree. I also want to play a good season, score as many points as possible and become champion in the 2^nd Bundesliga Pro with my team Schwarz-Weiss Erfurt.

The support of the sports scholarship has helped me to juggle my studies with my sport.
 

Name: Jonas Wagner
Degree program:  Physics
Sport: High jump

What I love about high jumping is that you can quickly surprise yourself. Sometimes I look at the height of a bar just before competing to get a feel for the scale and think, “I have no idea how this is going to work.” And when you actually manage to jump the height, it feels pretty good.

I would like to qualify for the Olympic Games next year. 
The scholarship helps me to be able to continue my sport in the high-performance area, as my association has decided not to give me squad status for the coming year. As a result, my financial support from this source has suddenly disappeared.