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The 2025 International German Gymnastics Festival in Leipzig was not only one of the largest mass sporting events in Europe – it was also an impressive showcase for Fistball. The IFA was prominently represented by President Jörn Verleger and Secretary General Christoph Oberlehner and took the opportunity to engage in a wide-ranging exchange with national and international partners.
At the invitation of Leipzig’s mayor Burkhard Jung and the President of the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB), Alfons Hölzl, the IFA leadership took part in several official events at the gymnastics festival.
“The gymnastics festival has once again demonstrated the power of Fistball – as a cross-generational, fair, and dynamic sport with international potential,” emphasized IFA President Jörn Verleger during his visit.
The great response was particularly impressive: over 125 teams registered for the Fistball competitions, including 28 youth, 39 active, 19 senior, and 19 recreational teams. The games were played in the traditional Bruno Plache Stadium.
A special highlight was the 2×2 show match in the preliminary program of the big stadium gala on Saturday evening in the Red Bull Arena. Even though the arena was sparsely filled at the time of the performance, this was a welcome platform for Faustball Deutschland to showcase itself.
Sports for all were not neglected either: visitors were able to play themselves on the market square under the guidance of SC DHfK Leipzig, the largest Fistball club in Germany. Numerous hands-on activities and the voluntary commitment of many helpers made the Fistball appearance at the gymnastics festival a real success – both for the sport and for the community.
A special honor was bestowed upon Steffi Thomas, former vice president of Faustball Germany. Thomas received the Flatow Medal from the German Gymnastics Federation at the Paulinum of Leipzig University. This prestigious award recognizes not only her outstanding sporting achievements—including four world championship titles and the IFA 2021 World Fistball Player of the Year award—but above all her many years of selfless commitment to our sport.
In addition to the sporting events, discussions with representatives from politics, sports organizations, and the gymnastics community were the focus of the IFA’s presence.
“The IFA would like to thank the DTB, the city of Leipzig, Faustball Deutschland, and the numerous volunteers for their excellent organization and hospitality. The 2025 Gymnastics Festival was impressive proof of the vitality of the Fistball movement – in Germany and beyond,” said Verleger.
