Prepare for the 77th edition of the renowned "Sportsman of the Year" spectacle on December 17! This time around, the extravaganza will take place at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany. But brace yourselves, dear sports fans, as a new dynamic duo will be leading the proceedings.
ZDF sports director Yorck Polus (53) and his team have decided it's time to shake things up. The fan-favorite hosts, Katrin Müller-Hohenstein (58) and Rudi Cerne (65), who have been gracing us with their presence since 2007, will be stepping down. But worry not, their replacements are ready to make their mark.
Stepping into the Spotlight
Meet Lena Kesting (29) and Sven Voss (47), the fresh faces set to bring their charm and charisma to the stage.
Lena Kesting, a rising star in the ZDF sports team, has been captivating audiences with her vivacious presentations on "Morgenmagazin" in 2020, swimming broadcasts, and regular appearances on the ski-jumping hill since this season.
Sven Voss, celebrated for his tenure on the sports studio presenter team and his dedication to women's soccer broadcasts, is equally eager to embrace the challenge.
Filling Legendary Shoes
"It's an immense honor and responsibility for Lena and me to step into the shoes left by Katrin Müller-Hohenstein and Rudi Cerne," Sven shares, expressing his gratitude. While he acknowledges the gravity of the task, he remains optimistic that they'll make their mark at the event.
As speculations about the award recipients begin to swirl, Sven shares his anticipation. "I'm eager to see if someone who's recently been pushing their fitness to the limit will claim the title," he says, reflecting on the impressive athletes he's had the pleasure of encountering, such as Darja Varfolomeev, Lukas Dauser, and the championship-winning basketball team. "Let's see who emerges victorious!"
The History of the "Sportsman of the Year" Gala: A Brief Overview
The "Sportsman of the Year" has been a must-watch event since 1996, initially hosted by Carmen Nebel and Gerhard Delling on ARD. In 1998, the gala moved to ZDF, with Wolf-Dieter Poschmann taking over hosting duties from 1998 to 2000, joined by Kristin Otto from 2001 to 2006.
As the ZDF sports team eagerly anticipates the commencement of the Winter sports season, with alpine skiing and ski jumping piquing their interest, it's clear that the new hosts are eager to bring a fresh perspective to this iconic ceremony while paying homage to its rich history.
