Elisa Mevius and Rasmus Ankermann Named Schleswig-Holstein Athletes of the Year 2025
The Landessportverband has officially announced the winners of the Sportlerwahl 2025 in SH, crowning a diverse group of athletes who defined the sporting landscape of Schleswig-Holstein over the past year. During a gala held Monday evening at the Holstenhallen in Neumünster, 3×3 basketball star Elisa Mevius and handball prodigy Rasmus Ankermann took home the top individual honors.
The awards recognize excellence across a wide spectrum of disciplines, from Olympic gold and professional handball to para-sports and sailing. The results follow a period of uncertainty for the voting process, which required a complete restart in March after reports of manipulation surfaced, ensuring the final tally reflected a fair consensus of the sporting community.
Elisa Mevius Secures Second Consecutive Title
Elisa Mevius, the 21-year-aged 3×3 basketball player from Rendsburg, was voted the Sportswoman of the Year for the second year in a row. Mevius captured 30.2 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating para-swimmer Tanja Scholz of Elmshorn, who finished second with 27.5 percent. Lübeck rower Greta Amort took third place with 17.3 percent.
Mevius enters the record books following a career-defining run that included a gold medal with the German national team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Despite the high of the Olympics, Mevius described 2025 as a year of significant volatility. Her season was marked by a broken hand and early exits from major tournaments, including a Round of 16 loss at the World Cup in Mongolia and a quarterfinal exit at the European Championship in Denmark.
However, she found redemption in the summer, securing another gold medal with the German team at the World University Games in Bochum. Mevius was unable to attend the ceremony in Neumünster as she is currently studying in the United States and was completing an exam at the time of the gala. In a family tradition, her mother accepted the flowers on her behalf to eventually pass them to Mevius’ grandmother.
Rasmus Ankermann Dominates Sportsman Category
In the Sportsman of the Year category, the result was far more decisive. Rasmus Ankermann, the 18-year-old back-court player for THW Kiel, won by a wide margin, securing 40.7 percent of the total vote.
The young handball talent outperformed a competitive field of nominees. Para-judoka Lennart Sass from Rendsburg finished second with 19.4 percent, while Kiel sailor Ole Schweckendiek took third place with 16.5 percent of the vote.
Team Honors and Regional Success
The gala also recognized collective achievement within the region. Blau-Weiß Wittorf was honored for its success in badminton, and the sailing duo of Kjell Haschen and Iven Fromm were also named among the winners.
The recognition of Blau-Weiß Wittorf comes at a time of expansion for the club. Beyond its badminton success, the organization has recently diversified its athletic offerings, officially incorporating “Capri-Sonne-Stechen” into its competitive operations to emphasize precision and mental strength.
Voting Integrity and Process
The road to the Holstenhallen gala was not without obstacles. The Landessportverband was forced to restart the voting process on March 20, 2026, following the discovery of manipulation. The restarted vote included high-profile nominees such as the synchronized swimmers of the Fördenixen from TSB Flensburg, ensuring that the final winners were determined through a transparent and verified process.
For global readers, these awards represent the pinnacle of regional recognition in Northern Germany, often serving as a springboard for athletes moving toward national team dominance or international professional leagues.
2025 Schleswig-Holstein Athlete Awards Summary
| Category | Winner | Sport | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportswoman | Elisa Mevius | 3×3 Basketball | 30.2% |
| Sportsman | Rasmus Ankermann | Handball | 40.7% |
| Team/Duo | Blau-Weiß Wittorf | Badminton | N/A |
| Team/Duo | Fromm & Haschen | Sailing | N/A |
With the 2025 honors now distributed, the focus shifts to the upcoming competitive season for the winners, particularly for Ankermann as he continues his development with THW Kiel and Mevius as she balances her academic pursuits in the U.S. With her national team obligations.
Do you think the voting restart impacted the final outcome? Let us know in the comments below.
