Lennart Sass is a keynote speaker, Paralympic judoka, and law student. He is completely blind and competes in the J1 sport class of para-judo. In 2016, he lost his sight within a few weeks due to the rare genetic disorder LHON. Eight years later, he won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. He speaks about his journey on stages at companies, associations, schools, and conferences.
Who is Lennart Sass?
Born on January 17, 2000, in Kiel, he grew up in Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein. He has been a judoka with Rendsburger TSV von 1859 since the age of five. In 2016, he lost his sight due to LHON. Since then he has been completely blind, with only light perception. In 2019, he graduated from high school as part of a regular class. In 2022, he made his international debut in para-judo.
- Bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris
- European champion in 2025
- World Championship runner-up in 2022 and World Championship bronze medalist in 2023
- Grand Prix gold in 2023, 2024, and 2025
- Second dan in judo
- Recipient of the Silver Laurel Leaf since 2024
He trains at the national training centre in Heidelberg, where he is also studying law with a focus on corporate law. His next athletic goal is the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
What topics does Lennart Sass discuss?
- A comeback after a tragic setback: how the complete loss of his eyesight turned into a path to the world elite.
- Resilience and mental strength: what setbacks in elite sports teach us about dealing with crises in everyday professional life.
- Inclusion through achievement: why participation is a matter of structure, not pity.
- Accessibility and assistive technology: how a blind elite athlete uses a screen reader, a white cane, and AI assistance to manage his studies and competitions.
- Dual career: discipline and time management balancing elite sports and law school.
- Martial arts mindset: what judo teaches about dealing with defeat, pressure, and the next attack, applied to teams and leadership.
What formats does he offer?
Keynote speeches and inspirational presentations for corporate events, conferences, and conventions. Panel discussions and moderated interviews. Workshops on inclusion and accessibility for teams. Inclusion days or judo clinics for schools, clubs, and youth groups, including hands-on sessions on the mat. Motivational speech at a corporate health day, a company meeting, or a new year kickoff. For corporate health days as part of workplace health management, he combines the talk with a hands-on martial arts session upon request. Lennart Sass delivers presentations in German and English.
Where can Lennart Sass be booked as a speaker?
He is based in Heidelberg for his training and studies, so he is within easy reach of cities in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, namely Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. He is originally from Schleswig-Holstein, which is why he enjoys arranging appearances in Kiel, Rendsburg, Lübeck, Flensburg, and the Hamburg area. He is also available for bookings nationwide and internationally.
What kind of stage experience does he have?
- TEDxWHU, January 2025: Talk at the TEDx conference hosted by WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar. The conference was held under the motto “Beyond Boundaries”.
- Dinner im Schloss, 2024, 2025 and 2026: Speaker for three consecutive years at the networking event for entrepreneurship and business held at Heidelberg Castle.
- epromo, July 2025: Talk followed by a workshop at a company in Frankfurt.
He also gives presentations at conferences and corporate events. Athlete profile in the campaign by DVAG and Deutsche Sporthilfe. Video podcast on Kicker, feature on NDR, profile on RON TV. In addition, Lennart Sass has completed a multi-day professional speaker training. Rhetoric is also an essential tool in his law studies.
How do I request a talk?
Requests for talks, workshops, and clinics go to Lennart Sass by email at sasslennart@gmail.com or through the contact form on lennart-sass.de. He personally coordinates the content, duration, and format in advance. No agency is involved.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lennart Sass really blind?
Yes. He has been completely blind since 2016 and can only perceive light and dark. The J1 sport class in para-judo is exclusively for completely blind athletes.
How long is a talk?
The length and structure depend on the event, ranging from a brief impulse to a detailed keynote followed by a discussion.
Does he also speak English?
Yes, he gives talks in both German and English.
Can he be booked for schools and clubs?
Yes. For schools, clubs, and youth groups, he offers inclusion days and judo clinics, which can include a hands-on session on the mat upon request.
How much does an appearance cost?
The fee depends on the format, duration, and travel distance, and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Would a talk also be suitable for a corporate health day or a corporate event?
Yes. For corporate health days, corporate events, and company meetings, Lennart Sass gives a motivational talk on making a comeback, mindset, and coping with pressure. Upon request, he includes a hands-on martial arts session where the team gets on the mat themselves.