display
Düsseldorf (dpa) - Long jump world record holder Markus Rehm has been voted "Germany's para-athlete of the decade".
The Paralympic winner prevailed in an internet vote with 24.05 percent of more than 10,000 votes cast, just ahead of former skier Gerd Schönfelder (22.78) shot putter Niko Kappel (21.08).
"This award means a lot to me," said the 32-year-old Rehm: "I was allowed to be para-athlete of the year, but an award over the entire decade is a completely different number."
Since his international debut in 2009, the right lower leg amputee has been unbeaten at high points.
He was three times Paralympic winner including relay races, won seven World Championship and six European Championship titles.
With 8.48 meters he holds the world record, in 2016 he was the German flag bearer at the Paralympics.
In 2014 Rehm caused a sensation when he became German long jump champion in the competition for non-disabled people.
A start at the Olympics based on the model of Oscar Pistorius was denied him despite intensive efforts.
In addition to Rehm, Schönfelder and Kappel, Martin Fleig (para Nordic skiing), Johannes Floors (para athletics), Georg Kreiter (para alpine skiing), Thomas Schmidberger and Jochen Wollmert (both para table tennis) were nominated.
Previously, the former mono-skier Anna Schaffelhuber had been voted “Sportswoman of the Decade”, while the short shot putter Mathias Mester received the special “Special Achievement 2020” award for his media activities in the Corona crisis.
The “Team of the Decade” will be announced on Saturday.
display
Team Germany Paralympics
German Disabled Sports Association