On 13th and 14th January 2018, the 58th "White Bear of Berlin" was held. The traditional tournament has attracted fencers and spectators to come to Berlin since 1960. Last time with a country record when participants from 32 nations crossed their blades.
In 2018 the House is German Sports in the Olympic Park was again the venue of the "White Bear of Berlin". The exciting finals traditionally took place on Sunday in the historic Dome Hall.
At the same time on Sunday also the "11th Small White Bear" took place. The junior fencers competed in men's and ladies' foil. These finals was also held in the Dome Hall. A short report with pictures we published on the website of Berliner Fechterbund in German language.
Day 1 of 58th "White Bear of Berlin"
The first day of the 58th “White Bear of Berlin” is over. Of the 241 starters from 23 nations, the 64 best have qualified for tomorrow's final competition day. Among them 18 Germans, including Richard Schmidt (3rd place world championships 2017), Lukas Bellmann (leader of the German rankings) and Niklas Multerer, winner of the 56th "White Bear of Berlin".The strongest competitors come, inter alia from Switzerland with Benjamin Steffen, he got the 4th place at Olympic games 2016 and will compete against the strong Toni Kneist from Berlin tomorrow morning. Other hot contenders for the tournament victory are certainly the Olympic champion of 2008, Matteo Tagliarol (ITA) or the winner of the 55th "White Bear" Frederik von der Osten (DEN). Also Jakub Jurka (CZE), the Junior European Champion 2017 and leader of Junior World Ranking, has good chances for the final of the last eight in the historic dome hall tomorrow. We're looking forward to it.
Final of the 58th „White Bear of Berlin“
Jakub Jurka is the winner of the 58th “White Bear of Berlin”. The 18-year-old Czech defeated Stephan Rein from Heidenheimer SB impressively with 15:5 in the crowded historic dome hall. On his way to the tournament win not even the former winners of the “White Bear”, Niklas Multerer (2016) and Frederik von der Osten (2015) could stop him.
After the Junior European Championship and two Junior world cups in 2017, Jakub secured the next international title. The leader in the junior world ranking was the third under-23 fencer to manage to win both valuations, U23 and the complete tournament win, and can therefore take home the big and the lying White Bear, both precious porcelain figures from the Kingly Porcelain Manufacture Berlin GmbH. He is also the first Czech to win in the long history of this traditional tournament in Berlin.
“I want to start in Tokyo in 2020”, he explained confidently in the interview with host Christian “The Voice” Holzmacher. We wish much success on this way.
Frederik von der Osten (DEN) and Tristan Tulen (NED) shared 3rd place. 6th and 7th place was won by Rico Braun (FC Tauberbischofsheim) and Marco Brinkmann (TSV Bayer Leverkusen), a good result for Germany.
Toni Kneist from Fencing Centre Berlin e.V. (former PSV) became best Berlin fencer with 29th place. His Sunday began with a grand 15:8 win over the Olympic fourth of Rio, Benjamin Steffen in the 64th direct elimination. In the 32, Toni encountered Niklas Multerer (Heidenheimer SB) to whom he lost in a thrilling battle with 14:15.
After the final, the organisers from fencing club Grunewald Berlin and the Berlin Fencing Association were very satisfied.
“We set up a great tournament and could notch up our performance comparing to last years’ event. Especially thanks to the great support of the sports metropolis Berlin as a funding authority, to our premium partner Eventtation GmbH & Co. KG and to fencing equipment supplier Uhlmann.”, summarized the Berlin Fencing Association (BFB) president Mario Freund.
In a moving moment, Dieter Bergmann (former president of FC Grunewald) was honoured during the gala finale by Marion Freund and Marian Moldenhauer (president FC Grunewald) for his long-year work. Since the 17th “White Bear” 41 years ago, the “White Bear Oldie" is connected to the traditional tournament as a fencer and organiser and he does not consider quitting any time soon. Thank you very much Dieter!
A big thank you also goes to all not-mentioned supporters, helpers and organisers who made the 58th “White Bear of Berlin” to a great tournament event for fencers and guests.
Report rbb Abendschau (Mediathek)
58th White Bear of Berlin 2018 - video report hauptstadtsport.tv
Press articles
- rbb24 Sport Abendschau
- rbb24 Sport Inforadio
- Deutscher Fechterbund: Weißer Bär in Berlin: Stephan Rein mit starker Vorstellung
- Tagesspiegel: Für Ehre und Vaterland tritt keiner an
- Berliner Morgenpost: Angriff auf den Kuppelsaal
- Berliner Woche: Internationale Elite zu Gast: Fechter laden zum 58. Weißen Bär von Berlin
- Berliner Morgenpost: En garde im Kuppelsaal
- Berliner Morgenpost: Weißer Bär geht an Degenfechter Jurka aus Tschechien
- Heidenheimer Zeitung: Degen: Stephan Rein wird Zweiter in Berlin
- Berliner Zeitung: 58. Weißer Bär geht an Degenfechter Jurka aus Tschechien
- Süddeutsche Zeitung: Bei 58. Weißer Bär von Berlin: 262 Fechter aus 23 Nationen
- T-Online: Weißer Bär geht an Degenfechter Jurka aus Tschechien
- Die Welt: Bei 58. Weißer Bär von Berlin: 262 Fechter aus 23 Nationen
- Berliner Zeitung: Bei 58. Weißer Bär von Berlin: 262 Fechter aus 23 Nationen
- FOCUS Online: Bei 58. Weißer Bär von Berlin: 262 Fechter aus 23 Nationen
- T-Online: Bei 58. Weißer Bär von Berlin: 262 Fechter aus 23 Nationen
