German Kickboxers Set Sights on World Championships and Olympic Glory
Germany’s top point fighters, Tim Grootherder and Roman Schütz, are preparing to compete at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, November 21st to 30th, with unwavering confidence. Both athletes have expressed their determination to claim the world champion title, fueled by rigorous training and recent successes.
A Veteran and a Rising Star Head to Abu Dhabi
Tim Grootherder, competing in the up to 89 kilogram (cruiserweight) class, brings a wealth of experience to the competition. Having first competed at the World Cup in 2018, where he secured a junior bronze medal, the 24-year-old has transitioned to the elite level. Despite a recent minor injury forcing a week of inactivity before the championship, Grootherder remains focused. “It’s not good so close to the World Cup,” he acknowledged, but maintains his ambition.
Alongside him will be 19-year-old Roman Schütz, entering the adult sector after a stellar 2024. Schütz will compete in the up to 79 kilograms (middleweight) division. He was runner-up in the team fight in the U19 class and won the World Cup in Hungary last season. “I’m also going to Abu Dhabi to become world champion,” Schütz stated confidently.
Intense Training and a Family Affair
The dedication of both athletes is evident in their training regimens. Grootherder completes ten to twelve training sessions per week, often beginning his day at 5 a.m. to balance training with his work as a corporate customer advisor at Volksbank Sigmaringen. The financial institution is supporting his ambitions by providing paid vacation for the World Cup and a donation to his club to help finance the trip.
Grootherder’s training is a family effort, led in individual disciplines alongside his brother Nils, father Roland, and mother Kirsten. He credits his recent improvement in performance to increased training volume and participation in numerous tournaments across Europe, including events in Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, and most recently, Bristol. “I beat most of the opponents in my weight class that I will now face,” Grootherder noted, while acknowledging there’s always room for improvement.
Mastering the Mental Game
Both athletes have emphasized the importance of emotional control in their preparation. Grootherder explained, “I used to be too emotional. I got that under control,” attributing his newfound focus to his recent success. Schütz echoed this sentiment, stating he previously “thought a lot” and was overly emotional, but has now achieved greater concentration. Schütz highlights his sidekicks and eye for fist attacks as key strengths, while also focusing on capitalizing on opportune moments: “When can I attack the opponent?”
Looking Ahead: The Olympic Dream
Beyond the immediate goal of the World Championships, both Grootherder and Schütz harbor aspirations for Olympic inclusion. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recognized the sport and the world kickboxing association WAKO, as has the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). This recognition allows kickboxers to compete in the World Games, the premier competition for non-Olympic sports, with the next event scheduled for Karlsruhe in 2029.
“That would be such a goal,” Grootherder said, while acknowledging that the 2032 Brisbane Olympics might come too soon for him personally. However, he believes his younger teammate, Schütz, has a strong chance of competing on the Olympic stage. Schütz, with his impressive results in 2024 – including a third-place finish at the World Cup in Hungary, a Bavarian championship, and a win at the German Open – is poised to continue his ascent in the sport. .
