The one who dances with the felt ball

Created: 06/29/2022, 17:02

By: Stephan Müller-Wendlandt

Beaming with joy: gold medalist Henri Neumann with mother Karin after the award ceremony.

Photo: Private © Private

Largely unnoticed by the public, a 19-year-old student from Berg has won Olympic gold.

Tennis player Henri Neumann won his class at the Special Olympics in Berlin.

Berg –

When asked how long her son has been playing tennis, Karin Neumann begins to ponder.

"About ten years ago, I think," Henri's mother replies.

Less the time aspect, but rather the fact that her now 19-year-old son also indulges in the so-called white sport is important to her.

Because the whole family - two siblings, a younger and an older brother as well as mum and dad - swing the racquets.

Which is not surprising, since the Neumanns live just two ball throws away from the red clay courts in the Farchach district of Berg.

Henri is a member of MTV Berg and strengthened the club's junior team until he was 18 years old.

He's still training with the tennis youth because he's not strong enough for the next age group, says his mother.

He also gains playing experience at the tennis school of the Open Disabled Work (OBA) in Munich.

The establishment of the Munich Evangelical Lutheran Deanery District offers recreational, educational and social events for and with people with learning disabilities and has organized Henri's participation in the Special Olympics, for which Berger has qualified in several classifications.

And last week his family traveled to the German capital on their own initiative to mentally and loudly cheer on their son and brother at the tournament.

The Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities is the counterpart to the more well-known Paralympics, in which athletes with physical disabilities are allowed to participate.

Karin Neumann has fond memories of the opening ceremony of the national tournament in Berlin: "Everything was offered that one could wish for: humorous speeches, music, bands, the entrance of the Berlin Bears with the red Brandenburg Gate and a brilliant fireworks display.

There was celebration, fighting and a lot of emotions and experiences in a wide variety of disciplines.”

The sporting competition of people with disabilities has its peculiarities.

"If you sometimes see long faces or even hear wild cursing on the tennis courts, there are only winners there, because everyone has the courage to stand up and try to do their best," reports Neumann.

In the second set, with the sure victory in mind, Henri took a step back in order to give his opponent a little more joy in playing.

"So it was actually close for him again.

It went into the tie-break, which he was then able to win," says the mother.

Henri's sporting passion is not limited to tennis.

"He is a good skier and likes to go mountain biking," reveals mother Karin.

Her son and family are currently interested in finding a job for the 19-year-old.

Henri would love to get involved with woodworking, but he is also passionate about gastronomy.

As is well known, the latter genre in particular is desperately looking for employees.

Karin Neumann knows that it will not be easy to find employment for Henri.

"People with their limitations need a patient boss and colleagues who are willing to deal with them with understanding," explains the mother.

Henri's next sporting goal is participation in the International Special Olympics, for which he has already qualified as a national gold medalist.

And this international tournament will also take place in Berlin in 2023.