Andreas Toelzer, bronze medallist at the Olympic Games in London will retire after the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in the end of this month. The 33-year old judoka from Mönchen Gladbach announced his retirement: “I hope for a medal in Rio, but it’s tough to keep the level in the long term” stated the double vice-world champion.
Besides Andreas Toelzer also Robert Zimmermann will fight in the same category +100kg. The 26-years Zimmermann recently won the Grand Slam of Moscow and is the successor of Toelzer and medal candidate as well.
Toelzer won the European Junior title in 1988 and the European senior title in 2006 in Tampere. In 2010 and 2011 he finished second behind Teddy Riner. Toelzer competed at three Olympic Games (2004-2012) and finished with a precious bronze medal. He won 22 World Tour medals from 2001 until 2013 in Moscow and booked 8 victories, among them twice in Düsseldorf at the Grand Prix in 2011 and 2012.
Toelzer will fight at 31 August in Rio de Janeiro.
