EUSA Insider:

Fabian Straub

Age: 24                  
Place of Birth/Nationality: Germany/German
University: University of Stuttgart
Sport: Karate (Discipline: Kata)

Published 30 May 2024

1. How did you get involved in the sport you play (designated sport)?

In Kindergarten, the older brother of my best friend was a member at the local Karate club. During the holidays my friend and I took part in a program for kids and after that I stayed with the sport!

2. Did you already take part in EUSA events before or is it your first time?

My first event was the European University Games in Lodz, Poland in 2022. Since then I also competed in the 2022 FISU University World Cup Combat Sports in Samsun, Turkey and in the European Universities Combat Championships, held in Zagreb, Croatia in 2023.

3. Otherwise did you compete in other national and international sports events? Which ones?

I competed multiple times on national and international level. In the past years I was able to collect multiple medals at the national championships and many other international competitions.

4. How are you preparing yourself for participating in the Games?

I will take the summer to prepare intense and train together with other German karate athletes from different universities to bring my best at the competition.

5.What are you looking forward to experiencing at the European Universities Games 2024?

I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know students from all over Europe. I want to have fun at the competition but also bring and showcase my best! I am also looking forward to watch and support some other sports.

6. What are some specific goals that you set for you and your team for the Games?

In the last two EUSA events, I missed the podium barely. This year I want to make it to the podium!

7. How do you think competing in sports events like EUG 2024 can help your development as an athlete and in personal life?

You get to know different athletes and people from different countries and cultures. This exchange can help me to communicate and connect with different people. Since the European Universities Games are an international competition, it will be a good competition to see where I am currently at, and to compare the reached results on the other competitions on international level.

8. What would be your final message to other student athletes like you?

Have fun and use the event to get to know different sports, people and cultures! See you at Hungary!