"Switching Up the Scene": ZDF Welcomes New Hosts for "Sportsman of the Year" Gala!
Get ready for the 77th edition of the "Sportsman of the Year" extravaganza on December 17! The Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany, will be the venue for this prestigious gathering, but this time around, the proceedings will be led by a fresh duo.
ZDF sports director Yorck Polus (53) shared that he and his team wanted to introduce a new flavor to the gala. The time has come to bid adieu to the iconic pair of Katrin Müller-Hohenstein (58) and Rudi Cerne (65), who have been hosting the event since 2007 with aplomb and elegance.
But fear not, sports enthusiasts, the new hosts, Lena Kesting (29) and Sven Voss (47), are more than up for the task.
Taking the Stage
Lena Kesting is the rising star within the ZDF sports team, making her mark with her engaging presentations on "Morgenmagazin" in 2020, swimming broadcasts, and her regular appearances on the ski-jumping hill since this season.
Meanwhile, Sven Voss, well-known for his membership in the sports studio presenter team and his coverage of women's soccer broadcasts, is also excited for the opportunity to step into the big shoes left by Müller-Hohenstein and Cerne.
Replacing Legends
Voss is ambivalent about the prospect of filling the shoes of such seasoned hosts. "It's a great honor and task for me and Lena to follow in the footsteps of Katrin Müller-Hohenstein and Rudi Cerne," he says, adding that he is hopeful that they'll shine at the event.
Speculations about the awards recipients are already swirling around. "I'm curious to see if someone who's recently been gracing the gym will make it to the top," Voss muses. "I've had the opportunity to meet some outstanding athletes, such as Darja Varfolomeev, Lukas Dauser, and the basketball world champions. Let's see who clinches the awards!"
The "Sportsman of the Year" Gala's History: A Brief Overview
The "Sportsman of the Year" has been gracing our TV screens since 1996. Originally hosted by Carmen Nebel and Gerhard Delling on ARD, the gala eventually migrated to ZDF, where Wolf-Dieter Poschmann took the reins from 1998 to 2000. He was joined as co-host by Kristin Otto between 2001 and 2006.
ZDF sports team members are eagerly awaiting the start of the Winter sports season, with alpine skiing and ski jumping piquing their interest. And as the new hosts prepare for the big event, it's clear that they're striving to bring a fresh perspective to this iconic ceremony while paying homage to its storied past.
