In Your Face. Why Sports Still Need to Change. And Why Women Are Needed to Make That Happen.

Whether it’s a soccer field, a swimming lane, a wrestling ring, or a gym—these are never just places for physical activity. They are social spaces. Spaces where we learn every day what is considered strong, who is allowed to be visible, who is taken seriously, and, unfortunately, sometimes who should conform more. That is why sports are always political, too. Because self-determination isn’t something that simply falls from the sky. It requires people who challenge existing narratives. It needs places where different bodies, different life paths, and different ideas of strength have a place. And it needs a democratic society that protects precisely this diversity. Because without freedom, there is no self-determination. And without self-determination, there is no fair sports either.

The panelists both demonstrate, in very different ways, what that can look like.

After a truly challenging childhood, Jazzy Gabert stepped into the wrestling ring and fought her way to the very top in one of the most male-dominated sports of all—and not only that, she’s an entrepreneur and speaker—advocating for fairer wrestling, sharing her experiences, and serving as an idol not only for the wrestling community but for every other young woman as well.

Antonia Brand is a fitness trainer and now also a businesswoman—she designs athletic wear for women who don’t want to have to choose between functionality and comfort at the gym. Women who want to decide for themselves how they train, how they present themselves, and what makes them feel strong. Antonia thus not only creates clothing but also fosters a community space for exchange and networking. In doing so, she’s setting new standards.

Moderator: Julia Voigt (Weltecho/Ufer e. V.)