Biathlete Johanna Recktenwald, swimmer Josia Topf and the U23 national wheelchair basketball team were the para-athletes of the year. In addition, track and field athlete Jule Roß received the award as Young Athlete of the Year. The choice was made by a committee of experts and about 12,000 participants in online voting. The prize giving will take place today (11pm/ZDF) broadcast on “Current Sports Studio.”
This year has been “extraordinary,” said Marc Möllmann, head of competitive sport at the German Disabled Sports Association. «Therefore, we are delighted that at the end of this year we can once again highlight some of the outstanding figures of the year. Even though most of them are only at the beginning of their careers, they are already showing great success.” None of the award winners is over 24 years old.
Nordic skiing dominates
Among the female athletes, behind Recktenwald, two other Nordic skiers, Leonie Walter and Anja Wicker, finished in the top three. The 24-year-old winner won gold in the 12.5 kilometer run at the World Championships in Pokljuka, Slovenia. He also took silver in the pursuit, 7.5 kilometer distance and relay.
Swimmer Josia Topf was part of the successful World Cup squad. He climbed the podium four times and won gold medals in the 150 meter individual medley and 50 meter freestyle events. Behind him, athlete Felix Streng finished second, ahead of swimmer Taliso Engel.
U23 wheelchair basketball players were crowned world champions after twelve years without a title. Rowers Kathrin Marchand and Valentin Luz, who are world champions in the mixed double sculls, were second.
Roß, just 19 years old, set a German record in the 400 meters at the World Championships in India and won bronze. He trails track and field teammate Max Marzillier in this category.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251115-930-297959/1
