Raphael Schwendinger

Raphael Schwendinger (born 1 January 1998) is a Liechtensteiner sports administrator and former judoka. He competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In 2024, he joined the board of the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee.

Judo career Schwendinger is a member of Judo Club Ruggell in his homeland. He won the gold medal in the 90 kg category at the 2019 Games of the Small States in Montenegro. He missed out on competing at the 2020 European Championships in Prague, Czech Republic due to a bout of influenza.

Schwendinger competed at the 2021 European Championships in Lisbon, in April 2021. In May 2021, he spent several weeks training with the Russian judo team and sparred with multiple world and European champion Alexander Mikhaylin.

Schwendinger was selected to compete at the delayed 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan in the men's 90 kg category in July 2021. He became the first representative in judo for Liechtenstein at the Games since Ulrike Kaiser at the 2000 Sydney Games. Competing in Tokyo, he was beaten by Colton Brown of the United States in the opening round, despite what was described as a "dominant start" to the contest. He did, however, have the honour of being the flag bearer for his country at the Olympic ceremony.

In 2022, Schwendinger won a silver medal in the 90 kg category at the European Championship for small states, held in Luxembourg.

Post Judo career He announced his intention to retire from competitive sport in March 2023. In May 2024, he joined the board of the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee.

Personal life He studied medicine and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 he volunteered his time to work in coronavirus diagnostics in Vaduz.