Mannheim / Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region (red / ak /pm Frank Schlageter, Sportregion Rhein-Neckar eV) – As expected, Olympic shot put champion Yemisi Ogunleye and double canoe champion Max Lemke were honored with the SportAwards in the categories Top Athlete and TOP Athlete. In addition, Ogunleye’s trainer Iris Manke-Reimers won the coveted trophy in the TOP trainer category.
The men’s hockey team from Mannheimer HC were recognized as the TOP team. They achieved the feat of winning both German championship titles (indoor and field) in 2024 and also provided three players for the silver medal team in Paris.
The sports fans of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region chose Tara Schmitz, the captain of the MadDogs Mannheim and defender of the women’s national ice hockey team, as the ‘crowd favorite’ in a public vote. The expert jury of ten renowned sports journalists named Max Moerstedt, who became German champion and cup winner with the U19 of TSG Hoffenheim in 2024, and also U17 European and world champion in 2023, as TOP Talent U19. Moerstedt has now earned his place in the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Bundesliga team.
The Sportregion Rhein-Neckar eV, initiator of the SportAwards since 2010, also attaches great importance to popular and recreational sports as well as volunteer work at the award ceremony. A jury of experienced sports officials named the Speyer Judo Sports Club the TOP role model club for its diverse inclusion offerings for people with intellectual disabilities in different age groups. Jürgen Koessler won the award in the TOP role model volunteer category. Koessler has been a trainer at TSV Schönau 1890 for more than 30 years. He currently leads a total of seven groups four days a week, organizes competitions and continually recruits a large number of helpers. Of course, the award for life’s work was the ‘supreme discipline’ here too. Peter Hofmann was delighted to receive the Lifetime Award. He has been a board member of the Mannheim Equestrian Association since 1982 and is also responsible for the Maimarkt tournaments, the German Championships, Federal Championships and European Show Jumping Championships in Mannheim.
The award winners were announced ‘appropriately’ by prominent laudators on the stage of the Mozart Hall in Mannheim’s Rose Garden. This time Birgit Fischer, Anke Huber, Harold Kreis, Yemisi Ogunleye, Sven Ottke, Klaus Schlappner, David Späth, Monica Theodorescu and David Wolf shone in this role. ARD presenter Lea Wagner and ZDF sports expert Norbert König led through the two-hour program with expertise and charm. Speaking of the stage: not only the award ceremonies took place in front of an impressive LED wall and an elaborate backdrop. Around a thousand guests also marveled at the rousing live entertainment with performances by World Cup participant Cheer Strike from TSV Auerbach as well as the Palazzo ensembles Haribow and Trio Three G, which were exclusively available to admire here before the official Palazzo opening. The performance of the Paris Metropolitan Region Rhine-Neckar team, which returned from the Olympic Games more successful than ever before (3x gold, 9x silver, 1x bronze and 14 other top ten placements) and the SportAward was used as an official ‘Welcome Back’. During the stage show and the awards ceremony, the guests were treated to all sorts of culinary delicacies at the large buffets in the foyer. In addition, the sports, game and activity stands of the partners and sponsors offered the best entertainment. The best thing: since the organizers (ultrabold Communications Design and SIM Marketing) traditionally do not have VIP areas, all the athletes and celebrities mingled casually with the award visitors and were happy and patient to chat and take selfies. From 11 p.m. onwards, everyone who wanted to party danced at the athletes’ party with DJ MoERockZ in the Ella & Louis, which had been converted into a ‘club’, and enjoyed the delicious cocktails. Unfortunately, we don’t know when the last people left the location of the sporting event… What we do know for sure: the 8th SportAward Rhein-Neckar was once again a complete success!
Text:
Votes for the SportAward 2024:
Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner, Chairman of the Sportregion Rhein-Neckar eV:
“We were able to celebrate the region’s outstanding sporting successes at the 8th edition of the SportAward Rhein-Neckar. Behind us lies a fantastic sporting year with the highlight – the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. The athletes showed outstanding performance in their disciplines and it was a pleasure to see how broadly the Rhine-Neckar region is positioned when it comes to top-class sport.”
“Association work remains an indispensable pillar of our society – I would say it is more important today than ever before. They offer our children and young people a second home. They create spaces in which they can develop and acquire important social skills. They stand for integration and inclusion and achieve great things. So today we at the TOP Role Model Club are honoring a club that does excellent work for inclusion. The Speyer Judo Sports Club.”
Max Moerstedt, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, award winner TOP Talent (U19):
“It’s an incredible honor to be honored in front of such an audience tonight.”
Yemisi Ogunleye, Olympic shot put champion, award winner TOP athlete:
“I am so touched. It is such an appreciation to be able to stand here and receive the SportAward.”
All award winners and laudators 2024
Audience favorite presented by Pfalzkom
Tara Schmitz, MadDogs Mannheim, national ice hockey player.
Laudation: Sven Ottke
TOP Talent (U19) presented by the Mannheimer Runde
Max Moerstedt, German champion and cup winner with the U19 of TSG Hoffenheim in 2024. 2023 U17 European and World Champion.
Laudation: Max Hopp
TOP trainer
Iris Manke-Reimers, coach of Olympic shot put champion Yemisi Ogunleye for ten years.
Laudation: Harold Kreis
TOP athlete presented by KAHL
Yemisi Ogunleye, 2024 vice world champion indoors, European Championship bronze and Olympic gold.
Laudation: Klaus Schlappner
TOP athlete
Max Lemke, including double Olympic champion 2024 in K4 and K2, world champion 2023.
Laudation: Birgit Fischer
TOP team presented by SAP
Mannheim Men’s Hockey Club, including German Champion Hall and Field 2024.
Laudation: David Wolf
TOP role model volunteerism presented by BBBank
Jürgen Koessler – TSV Schönau 1890 eV Active as a trainer for more than 30 years, currently with seven groups four days a week. Organizes competitions and always recruits a large number of helpers.
Laudatio: Yemisi Ogunleye
TOP role model club presented by the AOK
JSV Speyer – A wide range of offers for people with intellectual disabilities in different age groups, from trial offers to regular club offers.
Laudation: Anke Huber
Lifetime Award
Peter Hofmann, board member of the Mannheim Equestrian Association since 1982 and responsible for the Maimarkt tournaments, German Championships, Federal Championships and European Show Jumping Championships in Mannheim.
Eulogy: Monica Theodorescu
