Champions Cup
Winfried "Winne" Zühlke
Organizer, director and technical pioneer of the Champions Cup.
Role at the Champions Cup
- Driving force and key figure of the Champions Cup for many years.
- Responsible for the overall organization of the annual tournament in late November in Berlin.
- Ensures professional execution in all areas – sporting, technical and media-related.
Background & Berlin
- The Champions Cup is the successor of the former Master Cup.
- After Duisburg could no longer host the event in 1997, BUR Berlin e. V. took over the responsibility.
- With his experience from the "Berliner Bär" tournament, Zühlke helped to establish the format in Berlin and gain international recognition.
Pioneer of Live Broadcasting
- "Winne" Zühlke is regarded as a technical pioneer in Underwater Rugby.
- He developed and built his own systems for live underwater broadcasting long before streaming technology became common in amateur sports.
- Through his YouTube channel "Winfried Zühlke" and the platform UWR24.de he helped make the sport visible worldwide.
International Reach
- Under his leadership, the Champions Cup has grown into a world-renowned top tournament with club champions from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
- For many teams, the invitation to Berlin is the sporting highlight of the year.
Sporting Career
- His sporting career began in 1970 with various disciplines in underwater sports.
- He competed in Underwater Rugby, finswimming and underwater orienteering.
- He won several gold medals at national and international competitions.
- His experience as an active athlete continues to influence his work as organizer and technician.
- Underwater Rugby remained his great passion and the focus of his energy and innovation.
Professional Background
- Diploma engineer in electronics and technical systems.
- Owner of "Zühlke Electronic" and operator of the UWR24 brand for audiovisual sports and broadcast technology.
- Often described as a "scientist of many divisions" – a versatile researcher and creative problem solver.
- Already as a student he financed his studies with self-built underwater metal detectors – an early proof of his inventive spirit.
- He developed complete systems for cameras, lighting, network infrastructure and livestreaming that are now considered standard in the UWR scene.
Significance
- He is one of the most influential figures in global Underwater Rugby.
- His combination of sporting experience, technical inventiveness and organizational commitment has shaped the scene significantly.
- The Champions Cup Berlin has become an international flagship event for the sport thanks to his work.
Sponsors & Partners & Supporters
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