Four-time German wrestling champion and Business Administration and Engineering student: Lars Schäfle. Photo: Bianca Heinzelbecker
Students at Furtwangen University win national titles – and show how competitive sports and studying can be combined
Two impressive achievements, one shared background − newly crowned South German long jump champion Katharina Flaig and four-time German wrestling champion Lars Schäfle are prime examples of a study model that combines competitive sports and academic careers. This is made possible by the Elite Sports Programme at Furtwangen University (HFU), which offers students with a high level of athletic commitment a flexible and individualised course of study.
For Katharina Flaig, winning the title at the South German Championships in long jump was a very special moment, “I had problems getting into the competition at the beginning – and because of a minor injury, I was unsure how much I could risk,” she says. That made her all the more delighted that everything worked out in the end. Even more surprising – second place in the 100-meter hurdles – including a personal best. “That shows me that I'm on the right track,” says Flaig. Her next goal – the German Championships in Dresden.
Lars Schäfle also shows how top-level sport and studying can be successfully combined. The wrestler, who is studying Business Administration and Engineering – Product Engineering at HFU, recently became German champion again – for the fourth time! He is currently training with his sights set on qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Eight to nine training sessions per week are on the schedule, in addition to project work, lectures, and trips to training camps. “My daily routine is very busy – but I manage it well,” says Schäfle. The fact that he is able to concentrate on his studies despite this workload is also due to the support he receives from HFU.
With its Elite Sports Programme, Furtwangen University offers individualised study plans, personal counselling, and special exam arrangements. “We support students in successfully pursuing their dual careers in elite sports and academics,” explains Thorsten Schelling, the programme coordinator. “The flexible study conditions are even firmly anchored inour study and examination regulations.”
After completing her bachelor's degree, Katharina Flaig initially concentrated on sports, working at the same time, and is now considering a master's degree. “A dual career is important to me. But it's difficult to combine sports and studies without support from the university. I am all the more grateful to HFU for its elite sports programme — unfortunately, that's not something that can be taken for granted.” Lars Schäfle also appreciates the special support at HFU, “If you ever have a problem, there's always someone there,” he says. He is particularly interested in product development as a future career when his athletic career is over – but first, the focus is on qualifying for the Olympics.
With its Elite Sports Programme, Furtwangen University shows that an athletic career and academic education are not mutually exclusive – they complement each other. Incidentally, the cooperation with the Freiburg Black Forest Olympic Training Center, which forms the basis of the HFU Elite Sports Programme, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026.
