Sportsman of the year - Semechin and Petros honored, Union represented twice
Swimming world champion Elena Semechin and marathon record holder Amanal Petros have been awarded the Golden Champions Bear as Berlin's athletes of the year. For the fourth time in a row, the Union Berlin footballers triumphed twice: both the team and the now former coach Urs Fischer were voted Team and Coach of the Year. In front of more than 1500 guests in the Estrel Convention Hall on Saturday evening, Alba Berlin's basketball players celebrated as winners of the Women's Team of the Year award, which was presented for the first time. The public prize of the capital's media has been awarded since 1979.
The 30-year-old Semechin triumphed for the third time after 2019 and 2021. In the summer, the visually impaired swimmer won the Para World Championship title in the 100-metre breaststroke - six months after her last chemotherapy treatment following her brain tumor, which was diagnosed in 2021. "I've realized that life is not infinite. I try to enjoy every moment and realize all the wishes I always have, even if they are spontaneous. Nobody would have thought that I would ever come back," said the athlete. She herself took part in a competition in Rotterdam at the weekend in preparation for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Amanal Petros was "incredibly proud" of the award. The 28-year-old beat his own German record by 89 seconds at this year's Berlin Marathon, finishing in 2:04:58 hours. Petros, who was born in Eritrea and came to Germany alone at the age of 16, was also able to break the 30-year-old record over ten kilometers this year.
Union Berlin and coach Urs Fischer were honored for the fourth time in a row. While the team traveled home from Munich by "bus, car and minibus" on Saturday following the cancellation of the Bundesliga match at Bayern Munich due to the weather, the now former coach Fischer was connected via video message from Zurich. "I'm incredibly happy and honored. It was an amazing time, actually a great time," said the 57-year-old Swiss, who worked successfully at Köpenick for over five years.
Alba captain Lena Gohlisch felt it was a "special honor" to win the award for the first time for a women's team. The women were promoted to fourth place last season and are currently second in the table: "And it also gives us a little boost: we've already achieved a lot this year and want to go one better this season."
Website of the Champions Gala
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- FCK sporting director Hengen: "We don't comment on names"
- Attractive matches in Berlin and Leipzig at the European Football Championships
- Alba Berlin's women's basketball team, led by captain Lena Gohlisch, was crowned as the Women's Team of the Year in Berlin.
- Amanal Petros, the marathon record holder, expressed his pride upon receiving the award as the athlete of the year in Berlin.
- In soccer, Urs Fischer and Union Berlin were named Team and Coach of the Year, marking the fourth consecutive year of this recognition.
- ALBA Berlin, a prominent basketball team from Berlin, celebrated their victory in the Women's Team of the Year award at the Champions Gala.
- Elena Semechin, who claimed the swimming world championship title and the "athlete of the year" award in Berlin, stated that she treasures every moment in her life following her brain tumor diagnosis.
- FC Union Berlin and Basketball team ALBA Berlin both represented Berlin in different sports, winning multiple awards, demonstrating the city's vibrant sports scene.
Source: www.stern.de
