Ludger Steffens - That's how he rolls

Judo means the world to him. Already in younger years Ludger Steffens started hunting for the colored belts. After some detours with sports like boxing or rugby and also two strokes later he rediscovered his love for the combat sport judo. What kind of role this sport plays in his everyday life, he tells us on REHACARE.com.

Photo: Ludger Steffens; Copyright: private

Ludger Steffens; © private

Name: Ludger Steffens
Age: 63
City: Cologne, Germany
Occupation: Geographer, now retiree
Impairment: Right-sided hemiparesis after two strokes

When did you last laugh heartily and what about?

Ludger Steffens: When my Uke (my partner) fell down because of my Tani-otoshi. But not because of spitefulness, but because of the fact that I, an impaired person, managed to throw him this way and I even received an Ippon (judging).

What have you always been wanting to do and why have you never done this so far?

Ludger Steffens: A mud run with all its obstacles. But I do not know anybody who would do this with me.

Which person has influenced you most?

Ludger Steffens: Several people who encouraged me to go my own way – also according to sports.

Photo: Ludger Steffens with other judo practioners; Copyright: private

Ludger Steffens (front, middle) finally passed the exam for the first master degree, called Dan, and now is a proud owner of the black belt; © private

You have the chance to become the German Federal Commissioner for the Disabled. What would you do first?

Ludger Steffens: I would make sure that all physically impaired people have the chance to do Randori (training fights) with non-impaired people in every judo club.

Your life is made into a film: Who would represent you?

Ludger Steffens: a judo practitioner - isn't this obvious?

I would like to be ...

Ludger Steffens: a judo practitioner who wins the first place in a championship for the elderly.

Grafik: So tickt; Copyright: beta-web/Schmitz

What makes other people actually happy in life? If you ever wondered, you have come to the right place. In regular intervals REHACARE.com asks a varity of people always the same questions. What results from that? Read for yourself!

Ludger Steffens - That's how he rolls

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