GTT Award 2020 - The Coaches

Anyone who has ever fought a match in his life knows that without "the man in the corner" literally nothing goes. In the shadow of the fighters, they usually lead an apparently dull existence, but really every competitor appreciates their commitment and care. We are talking about the coaches. We bring you the coaches of the ...

We bring the coaches of the German Top Team out of the shadows and put them in the spotlight once a year. From numerous nominations, I have selected the four most promising candidates who now need your vote to win the title of "Best Coach" at the "German Top Team Awards 2020". I will briefly introduce them to you once again at this point.

Rafael Pratnicki (Kenan Academy Würzburg)

Anyone who has ever seen Rafael in the corner of his protégés knows what I'm talking about when I say that this coaching is really first class. Rafael knows how to lead his protégés to success with calmness and clear instructions, as the victories of his master student Matthew Mays in Shooto show. Here you just notice Rafael's incredible experience in MMA as a professional fighter (4-4-0).

Alexander Budja (German Top Team HQ)

The "Kamikaze" is not only as MMA professional fighter and grappler a real house number. As my right hand in the care of our fighters in Reutlingen, he is always my first choice when it comes to accompanying our competitors to tournaments or professional fights. And the success proves the passionate thoroughbred fighter and coach right again and again. He is significantly involved in the success of our amateur and professional fighters and a strong pillar in the team!

Abubakar Ismailov (Alpha Fighters Grünsfeld)

Abu has become one of the pillars of the Alpha Fighters team in a very short time. The boxer and wrestler from Chechnya not only supports team boss Martin Vath in training, but can actually always be seen in the corner or on the mat when an Alpha Fighter is about to fight. With his enormous expertise and likeable manner, he has become an absolute favorite and guarantor of success with the Alpha Fighters. A man from whom you will hear a lot in the coming years through the successes of his protégés.

Jan Björn Gromann (Budokeller Bonlanden)

Yes, Jan is also up for election in this category, after he is already on the hunt for votes in "Best Trainer". But anyone who trains and coaches a protégé from virtually zero to the main event at Bellator simply deserves it. Like no other, Jan knows how to put himself in the fighter's shoes, steer him and stand by his side like a rock. He is the main reason for the sensational success of Germany's exceptional fighter Judith Ruis and it remains only to say "Honor to whom honor is due".