Gelsenkirchen to Honor Top Athletes with 2024 SportAward
GELSENKIRCHEN – The city of Gelsenkirchen is seeking its top athletes of 2024 across multiple categories and will honor them with the SportAward. Online voting is now open to the public untill May 10.
Public Vote Decides Gelsenkirchen’s Sporting Stars
Replacing the previous “Sportlerwahl,” the SportAward will recognize outstanding athletes, teams, and dedicated individuals in Gelsenkirchen. A key addition this year is the inclusion of a category for Para-athletes, welcoming nominations for both individual athletes and teams.
Nominees Selected, Voting Open Until May 10
Sports clubs in Gelsenkirchen submitted nominations through Gelsensport’s website. Eligible athletes are either members of a Gelsenkirchen sports club who have achieved meaningful accomplishments or residents of Gelsenkirchen who have excelled in a sports club in another city.
A panel comprised of politicians, media representatives, and Gelsensport officials has selected three finalists in each category. The public can now vote for their favorites via online voting at gelsensport.de/sportaward. Voting closes on May 10.
Awards Ceremony Scheduled for May 28, 2025
The SportAward ceremony, honoring the extraordinary achievements in Gelsenkirchen sports for the year 2024, will be held on May 28, 2025, at the Glashalle of the Hor.
Gelsenkirchen to Honor Top Athletes at Annual Sports awards Ceremony
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Gelsenkirchen will celebrate its outstanding athletes at the annual Sports Awards Ceremony, where the Sportsman, Sportswoman, and Team of the Year will be revealed based on online voting results.The event will also recognize exceptional athletic achievements with the presentation of gold, silver, and bronze Stadtsportmünzen (city Sports Medals).
Gelsenkirchen Sportswoman of the Year Nominees
The nominees for Sportswoman of the Year include:
- Victoria Katharina Dolle (swimming, SG Gelsenkirchen): The defending champion, Dolle secured five NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia) Championship titles and three German Championship titles in the U20 age group last year.
- Franziska Galla (Judo, JC Banzai Gelsenkirchen): Galla claimed second place at the West German Championships for men and women in 2024. She also earned third place at both the West German U21 Championships and the German U21 Championships. Additionally,she took first place at the International Bayer-Leverkusen-Cup U21 and third at the U21 National sichtungsturnier (Talent Identification Tournament) in Mannheim.
- Anna Moczarski (Soccer, VfL Bochum): Moczarski, 24, started playing soccer at a young age with Westfalia 04 Gelsenkirchen. After a stint with SGS Essen, she joined VfL Bochum nearly two years ago. As a key player, she helped VfL Bochum’s women’s team achieve promotion from the Regionalliga to the 2nd Bundesliga in her first season.
Gelsenkirchen Sportsman of the Year nominees
The nominees for Sportsman of the Year include:
- Lars Claaßen (Leichtathletik): No details provided.
- Max Klöter (Tischtennis): No information provided.
- Luca Polsfuß (Sportschießen): no information provided.
Gelsenkirchen Team of the year Nominees
The Nominees for Team of the Year include:
- Rollstuhlbasketballer des RSC Gelsenkirchen: No information provided.
- Ü40-Fußballer der SSV Buer 07/28: No information provided.
- Volleyballerinnen des VC Gelsenkirchen: No information provided.
Ceremony Details
The awards ceremony will be held at Schloss Horst on Turfstraße. The winners of the online vote will be announced during the ceremony.
Judo Star Justus Galla and Billiards Champion Sascha Lindenau Shine as Gelsenkirchen’s Top Athletes
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Two outstanding athletes, judoka Justus Galla and billiards player Sascha Lindenau, have distinguished themselves with remarkable achievements, earning recognition in Gelsenkirchen’s sporting community.
Justus Galla: A judo Force
justus Galla, representing JC Banzai Gelsenkirchen, has made significant strides in the highly competitive 100 kg+ weight class in Judo. His recent accomplishments include:
- First Place: U21-Sichtungsturnier
- Second Place: West German U21 Championships
- Second Place: West German Championships (Men and Women)
- Third Place: German U21 championship
Sascha Lindenau: Billiards Master
Sascha Lindenau, from GW Hassel, has demonstrated exceptional skill in billiards, achieving top honors in the sport. His notable achievements include:
- First Place: German Champion in Einband
- Second Place: German Vice-Champion in Cadre
Thes athletes exemplify dedication and talent, contributing substantially to the local sporting landscape.
Swimming Star Marius Schimnatkowski Shines for SG Gelsenkirchen
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Marius Schimnatkowski, a swimmer for SG Gelsenkirchen, has distinguished himself with outstanding performances at multiple German Championships within his age group. Specializing in backstroke and butterfly, Schimnatkowski secured first-place finishes in the 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly events.
Dominating Performances in National Championships
Schimnatkowski’s accomplishments extend beyond individual races. He emerged as the highest point scorer for the SG Gelsenkirchen men’s team, contributing significantly to their league performance.
Kensy Not Selected This Year
Marius Kensy, a football champion with Düsseldorf Rheinfire and the recognized “Athlete of the Year 2023,” was not selected as one of the three candidates by the panel of experts this time.
Gelsenkirchen Athletes Triumph despite Adversity: kowol, Palkowski, and Renneberg Vie for Top Honors
Three remarkable athletes from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, are in contention for the title of Para-athlete of the Year, showcasing incredible resilience and sporting achievement in the face of significant challenges. Klaus-Peter Kowol,Stefan Palkowski,and Andreas Renneberg have all achieved outstanding results in their respective disciplines,marking them as top contenders for the prestigious award.
Klaus-Peter Kowol: A Champion in Blind Kegling
Klaus-Peter Kowol of VSG Gelsenkirchen secured the German Championship in blind kegling (bowling) for the severely visually impaired,achieving a remarkable score of 605.His victory underscores his exceptional skill and dedication to the sport.
Stefan Palkowski: An Ironman’s Unyielding Spirit
Stefan Palkowski, representing the SG Gelsenkirchen’s broad sports division, has demonstrated unusual perseverance. Despite wearing a prosthetic on his right foot, Palkowski completed two half-marathons in Prague and Cardiff. In Cardiff, his prosthesis broke after just 6 kilometers, forcing him to complete the remaining 15 kilometers using a wheelchair as support. His unwavering determination to finish the race on one leg exemplifies his incredible spirit.
Andreas renneberg: dominance in Para-Table Tennis
Andreas renneberg of VSG Gelsenkirchen and SV Wipperfürth has achieved double success, winning both the state and German championships in para-table tennis. He secured titles in both singles and doubles competitions within the Class 7 category, wich includes athletes with impairments affecting their arms and/or legs.
A Testament to Perseverance and Athleticism
The accomplishments of Kowol, Palkowski, and Renneberg highlight the power of sport to overcome adversity. Their remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration to athletes and individuals alike, demonstrating that determination and dedication can lead to extraordinary success, nonetheless of physical challenges.
Gelsenkirchen Celebrates Sporting Excellence: Parasport Nomination and Team Triumphs
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Gelsenkirchen is recognizing its outstanding athletes and teams, with nominations and awards highlighting achievements across various sports. A parasport athlete from SG Gelsenkirchen is among three finalists for Parasportler of the Year, while several teams and individuals have been honored for their accomplishments.
Parasportler of the Year Nomination
Stefan Palkowski, representing the SG Gelsenkirchen’s recreational sports division, has been nominated for Parasportler of the Year. Palkowski’s accomplishments have earned him recognition as one of the top three candidates for the prestigious award.
Gelsenkirchen’s Top Teams Honored
Three teams have been recognized for their exceptional performance and success:
- TV Westfalia 1884 Buer Gymnastics Team: The gymnasts clinched the Münsterliga championship and qualified for the Regionalliga.
- FC Schalke 04 Women’s Soccer Team: Achieving their third consecutive promotion, the team advanced from the Landesliga to the Westfalenliga. they also secured the kreispokalsieger title.
- KV Gelsenkirchen Men’s Bowling Team: The team earned the title of German Champion, West German Vice Champion, and Bezirksmeister in bowling.
Individuals Recognized for Dedication to Gelsenkirchen Sports
The following individuals have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to sports in Gelsenkirchen:
- Hubert Beck (FC Schalke 04,Basketball)
- Sabine Haupt (TV Westfalia 1884 Buer,Gymnastics)
- Brigitte Präsang (Schwimmvereinigung Gelsenkirchen,Swimming)
What happens if there’s a tie in the public voting?
Gelsenkirchen SportAward: Your Burning Questions Answered
- Victoria Katharina dolle (Swimming): Defending champion with multiple titles.
- Franziska galla (Judo): High-achieving judo athlete.
- Anna Moczarski (Soccer): Key player in VfL Bochum’s promotion.
- Justus Galla (Judo): Distinguished judoka.
- Sascha lindenau (Billiards): German Champion in Einband.
- Marius Schimnatkowski (Swimming): Multiple titles in backstroke and butterfly.
- Stefan Palkowski (Para-athlete): Despite a prosthetic, completed a half marathon.
- Klaus-Peter Kowol (Para-athlete): German Championship in blind kegling.
- Andreas renneberg (Para-athlete): State and German champion in para-table tennis
Don’t forget to cast your vote before May 10th and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Gelsenkirchen’s athletes!
