Miscellaneous

Timo Boll has a long list of successes and awards to his name. Yesterday, he added the Lifetime Achievement Award to his collection at the ‘ZDF Sports Personality of the Year Gala 2025’.

After Lara Broich was named Coach of the Year earlier in the evening, Boll's award was the second highlight for all table tennis fans. The record European champion, who had travelled from Saarbrücken at the last minute to attend the top match between 1. FC Saarbrücken and Borussia Düsseldorf, received the award from épée fencer Britta Heidemann. ‘You started playing at the age of four and are now leaving the table as a global star. Not only does Europe lie at your feet, you are also an absolute top star in China,’ said the 2008 Olympic champion, who also has close ties to China. "I've seen for myself how people there go crazy when they see you. I have to admit, to this day I still brag in China about being friends with you.‘ However, Boll never forgot where he came from, and his farewell in Frankfurt (editor's note: TTBL final in June) showed what he means to people in terms of sport and as a person, says Heidemann. ’Timo, you are now retired, but you remain a role model. We thank you for what you have given over the past three decades with this Lifetime Award." Boll received the award to a standing ovation at the Kurhaus Baden-Baden – last year, football world champion Toni Kroos won the Lifetime Award.

Quelle: tischtennis.de
Beitragsbild oben: Timo Boll Borussia Düsseldorf