Berlin Celebrates Athletic Excellence at Annual Gala
A packed Estrel Convention Hall honored Elena Semechin and Amanal Petros as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year 2023 on Saturday evening. The esteemed duo was joined by over 1500 guests from sports, politics, and business industry enthusiasts.
German marathon record holder and 28-year-old Amanal Petros displayed gratitude for the recognition, stating that even being nominated was a source of honor. With two German records under his belt and a successful marathon at Berlin, the athlete called the year 2023 the most prosperous period of his career.
Elena Semechin, the 30-year-old visually impaired swimming champion, also echoed similar sentiments. After beating the world record she set in 2019, Semechin revealed the thrill of being crowned once again as Berlin's Sportswoman of the Year. Having overcome a brain tumor diagnosis in October 2021 with remarkable resilience, she celebrated the award with a newfound intensity and appreciation.
The annual gala, a staple since 1979, also embraced five categories for both expert jury and fans in 2023. The categories included women's and men's teams, Coach of the Year, and the beloved Audience Award. In a first, Alba Berlin basketball team was celebrated as the Women's Team Award winner, while 1. FC Union reclaimed its title as Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive term. Former coach Urs Fischer was honored as Coach of the Year.
The public audience award saw Frithjof Seidel, an outstanding synchronized swimmer, nab the special prize of the sports metropolis. Seidel's historic achievement of earning a medal with the German team at a continental championship became a defining moment.
The following are the champions and winners from various categories:
Women 1. Elena Semechin - para-swimming, World Champion (100m breaststroke) 2. Satou Sabally - Basketball, WNBA Most Improved Player Award 3. Samantha Eckert - Special Olympics Tennis, 2 x silver (singles & doubles, level 5)
Men 1. Amanal Petros - Marathon, German Record 2. Tim Hecker - Canoeing, World Champion (C2, 500m) 3. Martin Zwicker - Hockey, World Champion
Women's Team 1. ALBA Berlin Basketball - 4th place, German Championships 2. Wasserfreunde Spandau 04 Water Polo - German Champions, Cup Winners 3. Christina & Elena Wassen Water Diving - European Champions (Tower Synchronized)
Men's Team 1. 1. FC Union - Bundesliga Top 4, Champions League 2. Berlin's Gold Boys - Basketball, World Champions 3. BR Volleys - German Champions, Cup Winners
Coach & Manager 1. Urs Fischer - Football, former coach of 1. FC Union 2. Bob Hanning - Handball - Managing Director Füchse Berlin, Coach VfL Potsdam 3. Cédric Énard - Volleyball, Former coach, BR Volleys
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Additional context:
The celebration witnessed the emergence of Berlin as a thriving sports city, showcasing exceptional talents and enduring champions. The riveting atmosphere and competition in various events, including marathon events, fueled the city's sporting spirit and left a lasting impact on the sports fraternity.
