The German gym fighting the far right with MMA

Athletic Sonnenberg in Chemnitz runs an MMA program focused on diversity and empowerment. Members view MMA training as a battleground for democracy because many martial arts gyms in Saxony are run by right-wingers and right-wing structures exist across the MMA scene. The far right increasingly uses MMA to reach young men who may not start out interested in politics, using sports as an entry point. MMA can also serve as preparation for violent confrontations with political opponents or police. Chemnitz is in Saxony, where far-right influence has grown and the Alternative for Germany party leads polls. The club aims to stand out by offering an alternative training environment.

"“This has a clear political element,” Stani, the martial arts coach at Athletic Sonnenberg, told DW. “Lots of martial arts gyms in Saxony are run by right-wingers and there are many right-wing structures in the MMA scene generally.” Athletic Sonnenberg is focused on diversity and empowerment. Organizers hope it can stand out in a moment when the far-right is increasingly instrumentalizing sports and especially MMA to recruit new members."

"“The far right and MMA Martial arts, often tied to football hooligan groups, offer right-wing groups a growing audience of young men. Many of them might not initially be interested in politics but can be reached via sports. MMA also doubles as direct preparation for violent confrontations with political opponents or police.”"

"“Chemnitz is one of the biggest cities in Saxony, a state in eastern Germany where the far right has long been growing. The Alternative for Germany party is the second biggest in the state legislature, and currently leads polls by a wide margin.”"

"“Athletic Sonnenberg's fight isn't just in the MMA ring” and the gym’s training environment is described as a place where participants sweat through sessions while hip hop plays over speakers and gloves strike focus mitts and bodies drop onto mats, reflecting a structured martial arts setting aimed at empowerment rather than political extremism."

Read at www.dw.com