(ffm) At the ninth Frankfurt Sports Gala, Head of the Sports Department Markus Frank honored Frankfurt's best athletes with the coveted Siegerbembel. Around 400 guests were guests at the Mainarcaden on Saturday, November 23, and celebrated the Frankfurt sportsmen and sportswomen of the year 2019 in seven categories in a festive setting with a varied show program. Athletes who either compete for a Frankfurt club or live in Frankfurt were honored.
"The Frankfurt Sports Gala brings the sports year to a close in a special way," Frank said. "I am delighted that the Frankfurt sports family meets here once again and that we can celebrate our successful athletes together. They are representative of the many athletes who shape the image of Frankfurt as a sports city in the world."
Overview of the award winners:
Sportswoman of the Year
Gesa Felicitas Krause (Silvesterlauf Trier e.V.) - Athletics
Successes 2019: 3. Place World Championship (3000m hurdles), World Record (2000m hurdles)
Sportsman of the Year.
Leon Bunn (Spirit Frankfurt/Team Sauerland) - Light Heavyweight Boxing
Achievements: IBF International Champion since May 2019, undefeated in 15 professional fights
Team of the Year
SC Frankfurt 1880 e.V. - Rugby
Achievements 2019: German Championship in the age groups U12-U18; German Championship (Men)
Young Sportswoman of the Year
Leonie Schwenzner (Frankfurter Roll- und Eissportclub e..V.) - Figure Skating
Achievements: Appointment to the ensemble Holiday on Ice 2020, 5th place German Junior Championship 2018, 5th place Challenge Cup The Hague 2018. Platz Challenge Cup Den Haag 2018, winner Hessenpokal 2017
Young Athlete of the Year
Jonáš Forejtek (Eintracht Frankfurt e.V.) - Tennis
Achievements 2019: 2. Ranked ITF World Junior, winner US Open junior singles, winner Grand Slam tournaments Wimbledon and Australian Open in U18 doubles, U18 European champion
Disabled athlete of the year
Tim Schaffrinna (Deutscher Alpenverein Sektion Frankfurt am Main e.V.) - Paraclimbing
Successes 2019: Appointment to the Paraclimbing Team Germany, 8. Place Para World Championship France
Coach of the Year
David Corell (Hessischer Leichtathletikverband e.V.) - Athletics
Achievements 2019: Coach of Kevin Kranz, German champion 60m, and Michael Pohl, German champion 100m, coach of heptathlon runner-up Carolin Schäfer, U20 national coach men
In addition to City Councillor Markus Frank, various prize patrons from the worlds of sport and business presented the coveted double-handled behemoth. So Leonie Schwenzner was particularly pleased to receive the prize as Frankfurt's young athlete of the year from the hands of ice skating legend Marika Kilius. And boxer Leon Bunn accepted his award as Frankfurt Sportsman of the Year from Frankfurt presenter and actress Sonya Kraus. The new Frankfurt Sportswoman of the Year, Gesa Felicitas Krause, could not be present herself due to training in Kenya. The award was accepted on behalf of Katharina Steinruck, who only a few weeks ago celebrated her comeback after an injury break at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon with a new personal best (2:27:26 h) and thus qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.
On the evening of the Frankfurt Sports Gala, the police sports club Grün-Weiß Frankfurt, the SV 1919 Niederursel and the rowing fraternity Rheno Franconia also received the Silver Badge of Honour from the Hessian Prime Minister for the 100-year anniversary of each club for their many years of voluntary work from the hands of Councillor Frank.
The Frankfurt Sports Gala was hosted by sports commentator Florian Nass. The band Waterproof provided musical accompaniment for the evening and ensured the best atmosphere into the night at the closing after-show party.
