Read our exclusive interview with Miriam Butkereit, a German judoka competing in the -70kg category, as she reflects on her achievements in 2024, including winning her first Grand Slam gold at the Paris Grand Slam and earning silver at the Paris Olympics.
She credits her success to changes in her diet, training, and mental preparation. Miriam discusses overcoming injuries, the balance between her judo career and her work as a police officer, and her goals for future competitions. She emphasizes patience, resilience, and respect as core values guiding her career.
Who is Miriam Butkereit?
Miriam Butkereit was born on 8 May 1994 in Hamburg, Germany and has emerged as a prominent judoka in the international arena. Competing in the -70kg weight class, she has represented Germany with distinction across various prestigious events.
Miriam’s judo career is marked by significant achievements, particularly in 2024. She won the silver medal in the women’s -70kg event at the Paris Olympic Games, solidifying her status among the world’s elite judokas. In the same year, she claimed gold at both the Paris Grand Slam and the Tashkent Grand Slam, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination. Additionally, she secured bronze at the 2024 Portugal Grand Prix, further adding to her list of accolades.
Her earlier successes include winning silver medals at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam in 2021 and 2023, as well as bronze medals at the 2021 Baku and 2022 Ulaanbaatar Grand Slams. Miriam also clinched gold at the 2024 European Open in Tallinn.
Miriam’s journey is not only defined by her victories on the mat but also by her commitment to her profession as a policewoman, balancing her career with her passion for judo. Her dedication and achievements have made her a role model for aspiring judokas and a respected figure in the world of judo.
Paris Olympics 2024 Results
- Round of 16 (10-0): Won vs Aoife Coughlan (Australia)
- Quarterfinals (10-0): Won vs Gabriella Willems(Belgium)
- Semifinal B (10-0): Won vs Michaela Polleres (Austria)
- Final (0-1): Lost vs World Number 1 Barbara Matić (Croatia)
In the Mixed teams, Germany lost in the Bronze medal match against South Korea
Miriam Butkereit Interview
Congratulations on winning your first Grand Slam gold medal at the Paris Grand Slam! Can you tell us what this victory means to you personally and professionally?
This victory means a lot to me personally. After losing five Grand Slam finals, finally winning, and in Paris against a French opponent, was fantastic! Looking ahead to the Olympics, this was truly a good omen.
You had an incredible year in 2024, winning gold at both the Paris and Tashkent Grand Slams, as well as silver at the Paris Olympics. To what do you attribute your recent success?
It’s a combination of changing my diet, training plan, and especially focusing on the mental component. Everything just came together.
In the final at the Paris Grand Slam, you countered Marie-Eve Gahie’s O-soto-gari to secure the victory. Can you walk us through your thoughts at that decisive moment?
Honestly, I didn’t think much at that moment. I just executed the situation very well. Our plan was to engage her diagonally and make sure to pull. The second part of the plan was to take her right arm if she came forward with her right side. I simply combined both plans, something I had previously done by accident in Randori.
How did your preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics differ from other tournaments, and how did it feel to stand on the podium with a silver medal?
All other tournaments were just the path to the Olympics. These competitions were the preparation, so they were short immediate preparations rather than a long focused preparation. Holding that medal is a testament that my team and I were on the right path and made the best out of what we had. It’s a great feeling to have that medal in hand.
Over the years, you’ve had a series of strong performances, including your silver medals at the Tel Aviv Grand Slams in 2021 and 2023. How have these experiences shaped you as a competitor?
Definitely, especially in 2021, I had an excellent competition, defeating the reigning world champion and a four-time European champion. These are moments when you realize that you belong and can compete at the top level.
As a police officer and elite athlete, how do you balance the demands of your career with the rigorous training schedule required for top-level judo?
In Germany, it’s great that the Federal Police has special sports support for us athletes. This means our training is integrated into our schedule. We undergo a shortened 18-month training compared to the usual training, stretched over 3.5 years, with only 4-6 months of training blocks. Once completed, we have a 4-week internship each year, and the rest of the time, training is considered our work time.
Your journey in judo has presented many challenges, which you’ve overcome, reaching numerous milestones. What has been the most challenging moment in your career, and how did you overcome it?
There have been many. I’m the one with the most injuries on the team. Each injury has been a challenge in its own way. Most recently, it was my MCL tear in April, so close to the Olympics. I had many setbacks during that time and had to train through pain to get into the best shape, which wasn’t easy.
Winning the gold medal at the 2024 European Open in Tallinn must have been a proud moment. How does winning on a European level differ from your success in global tournaments?
I participated in that competition mainly to test my knee. However, in general, being among the top in Europe is not much different from being among the top in the world. You can see that 6 out of the 7 top-ranked women in the -70kg category at the Olympics are from Europe, which shows how strong we are in Europe.
Looking to the future, what goals do you have for upcoming competitions and the next Olympic cycle?
I haven’t decided on that today. I’ll take some time this year to recover from everything. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be back on the judo mat at the beginning of next year because I still have a few goals I want to achieve in my career.
What advice would you give to young judokas who aspire to achieve the same success as you?
That’s tough. I wish all young athletes an injury-free career! But if injuries do occur, take as much as you can from that time. Every injury has made me stronger, both physically and technically, and especially mentally. If you work hard, it will eventually pay off. Patience is something I had to learn as well.
Throughout your career, you’ve faced many tough opponents. Which match was the most memorable for you, and why?
There have been many, but I believe it was this year’s victory against Barbara Matić. We’ve known each other since the U16s, I believe. Since then, I’ve always lost to her, but this year, I finally won against her. I was also the only one to beat her this year, which makes it special.
You’ve been part of the German national team for several years. How has the team’s dynamics and support contributed to your individual success?
The support from the coaches was always there. Within the team, we’ve always gotten along well, with some more than others. Overall, you have to feel comfortable to give your best.
Judo is a physically demanding sport. How do you manage your recovery and prevent injuries during intense competition periods?
It’s a very difficult balancing act, one that I’ve managed less well in the past. My luck was good healing, and the necessary commitment and dedication to the sport. Sometimes, less is simply more.
You’ve competed in many international tournaments. How do you adjust your strategy when facing judokas from different countries with varying styles?
It’s always very individually tailored to my abilities. By now, we have the right plan against every opponent.
What role does mental preparation play in your training, especially in major events like the Olympics and Grand Slams?
A major one. Without it, I wouldn’t have made it this far. You must believe in yourself when going into a fight. It’s hard to give your all with negative thoughts. I work a lot on concentration exercises.
In the past, you’ve mentioned the importance of role models in your judo career. Who were your role models growing up, and how did they influence your career?
I never exactly followed anyone; I went my own way. However, I was impressed by the women who won medals at the Olympics.
How has your experience in the police force influenced your approach to judo, especially regarding discipline and mental toughness?
My judo training has influenced my police work or will influence it more than the other way around.
Judo is not just a sport but a way of life for many. What values from judo do you apply in your daily life outside of competition?
I try to live by judo values in every aspect. Probably most of all, respect.
The judo community is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. How important is this aspect of the sport to you?
Very important! Judo is a full-contact sport. If you don’t respect and treat your opponent fairly, it can be dangerous, and it can also have a negative impact.
After such a successful year in 2024, how do you plan to maintain your momentum and continue achieving new successes?
I haven’t thought about that yet. I don’t think it will be hard to maintain it. I’ve always been a very ambitious person with a few more goals in my career that I’ll strive to achieve.
What are your plans and goals for life after your judo career?
I’ll likely fully transition into the police force, and then we’ll see what the future holds.
What advice would you give to young athletes who dream of becoming Olympians?
It’s something wonderful, worth fighting for. But if that dream shatters, it doesn’t change who you are.
Athlete Miriam Butkereit, -70kg Half Heavyweight Judoka representing Germany.
- Instagram: @miriam_butkereit
Interviewed by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova
- Instagram: @madeinbulgariaxx
- Facebook: @madeinbulgariaxx
