Lennart Sass: blind Paralympic judoka — “You Don’t Need to See the Stars to Reach Them”
Reza Mehman meets Lennart Sass, a blind Paralympic judoka, Paris 2024 bronze medallist and an inspiration to thousands. They discuss losing his sight at 16, his comeback, his “Come Back Stronger” mindset and the superpower of keeping a clear perspective.
English translation of the German article published on 16 May 2025, including the entire conversation text published there. Ages, sporting plans and biographical details reflect the original interview.
Lennart Sass on judo and his comeback
Lennart Sass lost his sight in 2016 at the age of 16. Instead of giving up, he returned to the judo mat, worked his way to the world’s elite and won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. His favourite quote is: “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.” In this conversation with Reza Mehman, he explains his mindset, his superpower and why the journey matters.
Summary
In one sentence: Lennart Sass lost his sight at 16, became a Paralympic judoka and shares his “Come Back Stronger” mindset.
Short summary: Lennart Sass lost his sight in 2016 at 16 and returned to the judo mat. In 2024, he won bronze at the Paralympics in Paris. His guiding thought: “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
In five sentences: At the time of this interview, Lennart Sass is 25, was born in Kiel and has lived in Heidelberg for three years. He lost his sight in 2016 at 16 and returned to the judo mat. He made his international debut in 2022 and worked his way to the world’s elite. In 2024, he won bronze at the Paris Paralympics. His guiding ideas are “Come Back Stronger” and “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
Context: who, what and why
Who is speaking: Host Reza Mehman and Lennart Sass, a blind Paralympic judoka and Paris 2024 bronze medallist.
What this episode covers: Losing his sight at 16, making a comeback, the “Come Back Stronger” mindset and the superpower of keeping a clear perspective.
Why it matters: Lennart shows that a life-changing setback does not have to be an endpoint; it can become a turning point. His approach offers inspiration for people in many areas of life.
Three central themes:
- Losing his sight at 16 and returning to the judo mat.
- The “Come Back Stronger” mindset and a larger goal.
- His superpower: maintaining perspective and putting problems in context.
Contents
- Introduction
- Summary
- Context
- Themes and perspective
- Key takeaways
- Frequently asked questions
- Selected quotes
- The published conversation
- Keywords
- Names and terms
- Quotable passage
Themes and perspective
1. Losing his sight at 16 and finding his way back
Lennart Sass lost his sight in 2016 at 16. He could no longer play handball, so he returned to the judo mat. He made his international debut in 2022 and worked his way to the world’s elite. In 2024, he won Paralympic bronze in Paris.
Keywords: sight loss, judo, Paralympics, Paris 2024, comeback
2. The “Come Back Stronger” mindset
Lennart says: “You have definitely followed through on ‘Come Back Stronger.’” His approach is to set a larger, achievable goal. In difficult moments, he reminds himself: “Mate, you are doing this for something bigger.” He also draws motivation from every small victory.
Keywords: Come Back Stronger, mindset, discipline, goals, motivation
3. His superpower: keeping a clear perspective
Lennart says: “It’s not seeing, but keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on, being purposeful, being able to have tunnel vision and fully focus.” Losing his sight gave him a new perspective: “The sight that was taken from me may have opened up a new perspective, one that lets me see things more clearly now.”
Keywords: superpower, clear perspective, focus, perspective, context
Key takeaways
- Lennart lost his sight in 2016 at 16 and returned to the judo mat.
- He made his international debut in 2022 and won Paralympic bronze in Paris in 2024.
- His favourite quote: “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
- The mindset he lives by: “Come Back Stronger.”
- His approach: set a larger goal and hold on to it in difficult moments.
- What he calls his superpower: “Keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on and focusing with purpose.”
- “The sight that was taken from me may have given me a new perspective.”
- Everyday motivation: draw energy from small victories and wake up with a smile.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Lennart Sass?
In this 2025 interview, Lennart introduces himself as a 25-year-old born in Kiel who has lived in Heidelberg for three years. He lost his sight in 2016 at 16 and returned to judo. He made his international debut in 2022 and won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. His favourite quote is: “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
What is Lennart Sass’s mindset?
His mindset is “Come Back Stronger.” He sets larger, achievable goals and holds on to them through difficult moments. Small victories provide motivation. He describes waking up with a smile because he can say: “Yesterday was an amazing day. I’m looking forward to the one that’s starting now.”
What does Lennart Sass consider his superpower?
He describes it as “keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on, being purposeful, being able to have tunnel vision and fully focus.” Losing his sight gave him a new perspective: “The sight that was taken from me may have opened up a new perspective, one that lets me see things more clearly now.”
Selected quotes
“You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
— Lennart Sass
“Come Back Stronger.”
— Lennart Sass
“It’s not seeing, but keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on, being purposeful, being able to have tunnel vision and fully focus.”
— Lennart Sass
“The sight that was taken from me may have opened up a new perspective, one that lets me see things more clearly now.”
— Lennart Sass
“When, eight years later in 2024, I find myself at the highest international event and get to compete at the Paralympics, I know: you have definitely followed through on ‘Come Back Stronger.’”
— Lennart Sass
The published conversation
Introduction: his favourite quote
Lennart Sass: Since my challenge, that life-changing setback, my favourite quote has been “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them,” together with “Come back stronger.” Even if you cannot see the stars, you can reach for them. And even if you cannot reach them, perhaps you have moved a little closer. I have built that outlook deep within myself, and I will keep it for the rest of my life.
Who is Lennart Sass?
Lennart Sass: I’m Lennart Sass, 25 years young, originally from northern Germany. I was born in Kiel and moved here to Heidelberg three years ago. I came to train at the Olympic training centre in Heidelberg, originally to prepare for the Paris Paralympics and now for the next cycle in L.A. My sport is judo, and I have been on the mat since childhood. I started 20 years ago as a little lad, when I could still see. That passion remained part of my life. I also defied that setback: when I lost my sight in 2016 and could no longer play handball, I returned to the judo mat.
The “Come Back Stronger” mindset
Lennart Sass: It’s not about saying everything is a happy world and there are no problems. Instead, when a problem comes up, look for a solution. You have solved problems many times before, so take that as reassurance. Everyday motivation comes and goes. Perhaps I am fortunate to be so motivated and full of joy, but that also comes from what happened before. When you have already had many positive experiences, they let you wake up with a smile and say: yesterday was an amazing day. I’m looking forward to the one that’s starting now.
Lennart Sass: When, eight years later in 2024, I find myself at the highest international event and get to compete at the Paralympics, that validates it. I know I have definitely followed through on “come back stronger.” To then reward myself with a medal is indescribable.
His superpower: keeping a clear perspective
Reza Mehman: If you had to say you have a superpower, something you do particularly well, especially compared with other people, what would you say is your personal superpower?
Lennart Sass: It’s not seeing, but keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on, being purposeful, being able to have tunnel vision and fully focus. That means not letting the smaller problems that bubble up in everyday life become the whole picture. Instead, I put them in context. I can weigh them up and ultimately find a solution that takes me a little closer to my goal or vision. The sight that was taken from me may have opened up a new perspective, one that lets me see things more clearly now.
How Paralympic judo works
Lennart Sass: Judo is a Japanese martial art. The aim in Olympic competition judo is to throw your opponent onto both shoulders. That would be a full point, an ippon, ending the contest—whether after a single action or at the end of the full four minutes of contest time. It is the same in Paralympic judo: the same techniques and rules, all permitted. The only difference is that the referees bring us together at the start of the contest so we can begin with a grip, to overcome the visual impairments. Then the sport continues in full, just as it does in Olympic judo.
Reza Mehman: Lennart, thank you so much. There’s a reason I’m doing the podcast without shoes for the first time today: we are about to get onto the mat ourselves. I’m really looking forward to it.
Lennart Sass: Well, judo means “the gentle way”; it is a Japanese martial art. I’ll see you again in a moment.
Keywords
Tags: Lennart Sass, blind judoka, Paralympics, Paris 2024, Come Back Stronger, mindset, superpower, Reza Mehman, judo, Heidelberg
Names and terms
Lennart Sass, Reza Mehman, Paris 2024 Paralympics, judo, ippon, Heidelberg Olympic training centre, Come Back Stronger, You Don’t Need to See the Stars to Reach Them, Project Mindset
Quotable passage
Lennart Sass: “You don’t need to see the stars to reach them.”
“Come Back Stronger.”
“It’s not seeing, but keeping a clear perspective, understanding what’s going on and focusing with purpose.”
“The sight that was taken from me may have given me a new perspective.”
Find more conversations about sport and personal goals in the Reza Mehman Podcast.
[…] For another conversation about sport and comebacks, read episode 145 with Lennart Sass. […]