Luxembourg’s Roberto Lomba: from Physiotherapist to Paralympic Judo Hopeful
A remarkable athlete is redefining the limits of possibility in Luxembourg, seamlessly blending a career in healthcare with a burgeoning passion for Paralympic judo. Roberto Lomba, a 27-year-old physiotherapist from Merscheid, has rapidly ascended in the world of para-judo despite living with congenital glaucoma, leaving him with only around five percent of typical vision.
Lomba’s journey began in 2019 through an inclusive judo project spearheaded by the Luxembourg Judo Federation.”It started as a way to stay active and meet new people, and something bigger grew out of it,” Lomba recalls.
After a temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lomba returned to training in 2021, quickly demonstrating his potential on the international stage. His debut at the Small Countries Challenge in Finland in 2023 yielded a seventh-place finish,a moment he describes as a turning point. “That was the moment when I realized: This is more than a hobby.” He now actively competes in tournaments, refining his technique through a unique sensory approach. “I don’t see much, but I feel exactly what’s happening – in my body and on the mat,” he explains.
Balancing his athletic aspirations with his professional life requires dedication. Lomba deliberately works part-time as a physiotherapist in Esch/Alzette to dedicate sufficient time to training. This commitment stems from a lifelong interest in sports and healthcare, dating back to his school days. “Physio was the easier option because as a teacher you have to observe a lot and react quickly, which would be more difficult with my visual impairment,” he stated.
Lomba’s training regimen is rigorous, encompassing six sessions per week focused on strength, technique, and randori – a form of free practice. He primarily trains with sighted partners, with technical exercises specifically adapted to his visual impairment. “My trainer shows the movement, I feel it, feel the direction and repeat it until it fits,” he explains, highlighting the crucial role of tactile learning in his progress.
Competition protocols ensure fairness. All judo matches begin with hand-to-hand contact, allowing both athletes to establish a connection. “That makes it fair. If both hands are released,you stop briefly,otherwise you continue,” Lomba clarifies.During a fight, he relies heavily on the guidance of his trainer, Jérôme Guenzi. “I trust him blindly,” he says with a smile, “When I’m in the flow, I completely forget about the restriction.”
Recent successes include a third-place finish at the tournoi Excellence in clermont-Ferrand (France), a gold medal at the EJU Get Together Tournament in Venray (Netherlands), and a strong showing at the Grand Prix in Georgia in september 2025. “I don’t go to tournaments just to be there. I want to win fights,” Lomba asserts, demonstrating his competitive drive.
Beyond his personal ambitions, Lomba is a vocal advocate for increased visibility for para-sports. He believes greater awareness will inspire participation and challenge perceptions. “Many people don’t even know what para-sports there are. Talking about it creates interest – and perhaps motivation to take action yourself,” he notes. He also champions greater education about parasports within schools.
Lomba embodies a philosophy of perseverance, encapsulated in a phrase he keeps prominently displayed in his notebook: ‘trust the process – keep grinding, keep learning, stay patient.’ “You don’t always get the results you want right away.But if you trust the process,everything will come at the right time.”
His long-term goal is the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. While Paris 2024 came too soon, as he prioritized completing his studies, he believes that decision was the right one. Lomba’s story is a testament to the power of dedication,adaptation,and a unwavering belief in one’s potential. “I want to live a life that I enjoy – at work, in sports and in everyday life. And when I stand on the mat in Los Angeles, I know that everything was worth it.”
