BRANSER Marie

General
GERMANY TO CONGO
She previously represented Germany in judo, before switching allegiance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April 2019 due to limited opportunities in the German national team. "The point where they said, 'It doesn't change anything, your medal [at the 2019 German national championships], you're out now', I then said, 'All right, then the road is now over for me here in Germany'. From Germany to Africa is certainly an unusual way, but was the fastest way at that moment. My grandparents and my uncle worked there for a few years. As a result, my mother also lived in the Congo during her childhood. I saw it as an opportunity for the country as well. At the beginning, I really also very naively hoped that I could really make a difference there because I would also like to achieve success for the country and thus also make a difference in sports policy. But of course, there are always two voices. There are those who say, 'We are super happy that we have you' and then there are the others who say, 'What is a white woman doing in our country?' This decision is well and long considered and is not directed against a club or association. I make this decision for my goals and dreams." (judoinside.com, 08 Mar 2020; deutschlandfunk.de, 25 Oct 2020; judoinside.com, 08 Apr 2019; sportbuzzer.de, 24 Apr 2019)