The South Hessian state association presidents Georg Bernius (cycling) and Hans Wilhelm Moritz (judo) also receive the highest award in Hessian sport.
The fistball players from TSV Pfungstadt recently won the European Cup and are now receiving the sports badge from the state of Hesse. Photo: Thomas Zoeller
WIESBADEN – Hesse’s sports minister Peter Beuth awards fourteen times the sports badge of the state of Hesse, which honors top sporting achievements, success in coaching or special voluntary commitment. Among the award winners are also some South Hessian athletes and officials: Petrissa Solja (table tennis player TSV Langstadt), the fistball team of TSV Pfungstadt, Jörg Roßkopf (national coach table tennis) as well as the Hessian association presidents Georg Bernius (Darmstadt/cycling) and Hans Wilhelm Moritz (Nauheim /Judo).
“Whether they achieve victories to the jubilation of thousands or work behind the scenes to ensure that children can discover their passion for sport: all award winners have achieved exemplary and outstanding performance in and for sport in their category. We would like to thank them for this , which we honor with the highest sporting award in the state of Hesse,” explained Sports Minister Peter Beuth on the presentation of the sports badge, which has existed since 1970. The official ceremony was already planned for last year, but had to be canceled due to Corona. The personal handover is to be made up for in the course of the year.
The sports badge goes to bobsleigh pilot Vanessa Mark (TuS Eintracht Wiesbaden/World Cup sixth place and World Cup winner), Paralympics winner Felix Streng (Sprintteam Wetzlar), para-table tennis player Jochen Wollmert (TSF Heuchelheim) and Petrissa Solja, for who Olympia 2021 was a bit disappointing. However, the international from TSV Langstadt was honored for her overall performance, which includes team silver at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and European titles in 2020 in singles and doubles. Most recently, she and her team surprised everyone by reaching the final of the German Table Tennis Cup.
The fistball players of TSV Pfungstadt have been the measure of things even at international level for years, which they confirmed two weeks ago with their home win at the European Cup indoors. Since being promoted to the 1st Bundesliga in 2010, the team has enjoyed success, including two World Cup titles, nine European Cup wins and 16 German championship titles.
Jochen Behle (six-time Olympic participant and former national cross-country trainer) and Tim Restle (national bobsleigh trainer) also received awards in the trainer category, as well as Jörg Roßkopf. Another great honor for the national table tennis coach, who lives in Groß-Umstadt, after he had already been voted “Coach of the Year 2021” by the German Olympic Sports Association and the Hessian state sport. The former double world champion led the top German players to medals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and at the World Championships in Houston (Texas/USA) last year.
Two South Hessian officials were rewarded for their decades of service. Georg Bernius has been a volunteer in cycling since 1974 and has been the President of the Hessian Cyclists’ Association since 2014. As one of his greatest achievements he himself sees the modernization of the cycle track of the VC Darmstadt, which he also manages, and the expansion to a state training center.
Hans Wilhelm Moritz (Budo Club Nauheim, Judo Club Rüsselsheim) has been involved in judo on a voluntary basis since 1974 and has been the President of the Hessian Judo Association since 2015. His special commitment applies to youth work and competitive sports. Hessian judoka have been able to win world championship titles and Olympic medals in recent years. Of course, he is particularly proud of the bronze and silver for Eduard Trippel in Tokyo.
