This is rare: an Olympic champion is looking for a new sports partner through a job offer on her Facebook page. The successful beach volleyball player Kira Walkenhorst stands for her hoped-for comeback without a teammate. After a long break and new adversities due to the corona crisis, the 29-year-old blocker can imagine intervening in the qualification for the German championship this month. “But I still need a partner for this,” said Walkenhorst, who lives in Hamburg, on Monday.
Originally, the former world and European champion, who had already ended her professional career in early 2019 after several operations and persistent health problems, wanted to make her comeback with defender Melanie Gernert. But “due to the unclear situation with me”, she had agreed that Gernert would look elsewhere.
“Applications from players are welcome”
The Corona period was difficult. The triplets who keep her and her wife busy couldn’t go to daycare in Hamburg. “Training in the sand or in the weight room was out of the question,” although Walkenhorst reported that she felt physically good again. Now she also has more time due to the relaxation of the corona measures.
“For this reason, I could imagine playing the second or third tournament of the Road to Timmendorfer Strand. And, of course, if the participation was successful, then also the German championship”, said Walkenhorst, who started for TuSA 06 Düsseldorf. An interim partnership as a substitute for a player who cannot play the qualification could also be considered.
“Applications from players are welcome,” wrote Walkenhorst, who together with Laura Ludwig had formed the most successful German beach duo. Ludwig is now aiming to repeat her Olympic victory with Margareta Kozuch.
