Sports scholarships 2024/25

The sports scholarships will be awarded for the seventh time in the 2024/25 academic year. Nine scholarship holders are delighted with the support.

Some of the scholarship holders are taking part for the second time: in addition to Selina Stamer (karate), these are Sina Stöckmann (volleyball), Simon Schubert (rowing) and Robin Bendig (short track).

Marek Pompe (orienteering), Martin Brester (powerlifting), Noa Wischmann (e-mountain biking), Jannik Dutschke (handball) and Vanessa Huth (handball) are receiving the scholarship for the first time.

Congratulations to all scholarship holders!

Name: Robin Bendig Degree program: Political science Sport: Short track

I started short track in 2009 and previously practiced martial arts. I love the speed on the ice, the enormous banked turns and fast overtaking maneuvers while skating.
My biggest successes so far have been multiple German champion, 5th 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, as well as participation in the 2024 World Championships. One of my goals is to qualify again for the 2025 World Championships with the relay team.
It is often complicated to combine sport with university, as the examination period in the winter semester in particular clashes with the seasonal highlights of my sport in February and March. Nevertheless, with the help of the cooperation agreement between the Dresden Olympic Training Center and TU Dresden and by asking the professors, it is possible to postpone exam dates.
The sports scholarship helps me immensely to cope with the high expenses for my sports equipment. This year I have already had to buy new custom-made skates
over €2000, as well as new blades for another four-figure sum.

Name: Martin Brester
Degree program: Psychology
Sport: Powerlifting

Powerlifting inspires me above all because of the challenge of constantly working on my own limits and becoming stronger. It's not just about physical strength, but also about mental discipline and the will to keep going. Progress is very measurable, which is motivating.
Swimming, on the other hand, doesn't suit me at all.

Above all, sport has taught me perseverance and discipline. These qualities help me enormously in my studies, especially when it comes to pursuing long-term goals and not being discouraged by setbacks.

My greatest success was the 2023 World Championships in Romania, where I came 2nd, and the European Championships in Hungary, which I won. It was an incredible feeling as all the hard work finally paid off.
The scholarship helps me to concentrate fully on my training and studies without having to worry about finances. It also helps me with competition fees and travel to important tournaments.

Name: Jannik Dutschke
Degree program: Master Chemistry
Sport: Handball

What fascinates me about handball is the team spirit, the toughness, the athleticism and constantly pushing yourself to the limit.

Competitive sport has taught me discipline and perseverance, as well as how to deal with difficult characters.

My greatest sporting success was making it into the 2nd Bundesliga.

With the help of a well-structured plan and the support of my girlfriend, as well as organizational help from the club and the university, it is possible to juggle professional sport and university. The scholarship helps me to focus my full attention on professional sport and to have financial freedom in terms of nutrition and regeneration.
It also enables recognition and acceptance on the part of the faculties so that overlaps between university and handball can be managed well.

Name: Vanessa Huth
Degree program: Psychology
Sport: Handball

What fascinates me most about handball is the mixture of speed, team spirit and individuality. It's a sport in which everyone can and must develop - both as an individual and as a team.

Handball has taught me important qualities such as discipline, motivation, ambition and teamwork. These skills help me enormously in my studies - be it to stick to my goals, work effectively in groups or tackle challenges in a structured way.
Thanks to the sports scholarship, I can concentrate fully on my two priorities: my sport and my studies.

Name: Marek Pompe
Degree program: Medicine
Sport: Orienteering

What I love about orienteering is that you have to keep your mind fresh enough to find the fastest way to the finish line while running at high intensity.
My greatest sporting success was 4th place at the 2023 Junior World Championships. Next year, I would like to take part in the World Championships in Finland and finish in the top 3 at the German Championships.
My coolest competition experience was defending the German club championship title this year with my home club.
It was a very exciting 5-person relay race.

I use the sports scholarship to finance training camps and training and competition equipment such as running shoes.

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

I love the freedom of rowing on the water.
What helps me in my studies is the knowledge from competitive sport that you should always have your goal in mind and thus get through stressful times better.
My greatest sporting success so far has been 3rd place at the U23 World Championships and 2nd place at the World University Championships.

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

The sports scholarship gives me the financial freedom to pursue competitive sport and study without needing a part-time job.

Name: Selina Stamer
Degree program: Medicine
Sport: Karate

Sport karate is a very diverse sport that brings together a wide variety of components. The unpredictability of every fight is what makes the sport so exciting.
Competitive sport has taught me that there is always a solution after every setback. This also helps me with my studies, as does the good cooperation with the TU.

My greatest sporting successes are two 3rd places and one 5th 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 had set myself for a long time: To get into the top 10 in the world ranking.
My coolest competition experience was the European Wado Cup three years ago, where we won the title by one point after a nerve-wracking fight.

Without the sports scholarship, I wouldn't be able to afford important competitions and trips to training camps. Thanks to the support from the TU, I am able to attend both training and world ranking tournaments.

Name: Sina Stöckmann
Degree program: Geography
Sport: Volleyball

What I love about volleyball is the variety of this sport. On the one hand, you work as a team and have to function together. On the other hand, your own technical skills, athleticism and feel for the ball play a major role.
Self-organization and the desire to see things through are very important both in competitive sport and at university. You can't just stop training because your muscles are sore and you have to keep going when preparing for exams if you want to pass.

The support from the sports support system helped me to balance my studies and sport.

Name: Noa Wischmann
Degree program: Dentistry
Sport: E-mountain biking

What I love most about my sport is that it is a very technical and coordinatively demanding sport, as there are many steep climbs. You have to make the right decision in a matter of seconds to complete the obstacles as quickly as possible.
My frustration tolerance has increased significantly through competitive sport. If you don't master difficult passages on the mountain straight away, I don't give up and try again. Studying dentistry, which is partly manual, also requires a lot of practice and patience.
My greatest sporting success so far has been coming third in a World Cup race and taking part in the World Championships.
The fact that I have been selected as one of TU Dresden's sports scholarship holders and can therefore represent TU Dresden at competitions makes me proud and motivates me. In addition, I can make optimum use of the scholarship to cover the relatively high material and travel costs and competition fees.