Wolfgang Böhme: Handball legend is honored after 45 years!

Wolfgang Böhme: Handball legend is honored after 45 years!

What a memorable day for Wolfgang Böhme! On November 16, 2025, the former handball star entered the Golden Book of the German Handball Federation (DHB), an honor that means everything to an athlete. This makes Böhme only the eighth person to receive this award, which is dedicated primarily to all of his sporting achievements and the experiences he has gained over the course of his impressive career. In his laudatory speech, DHB President Andreas Michelmann emphasized that this step was not only dedicated to Böhme's individual achievements, but also to the many other athletes whose careers were affected by political circumstances.

Böhme played a key role in the 1970s not only as a player, but also as captain of the GDR national team. In a total of 192 international matches he collected considerable success, including the World Cup silver medal in 1974 and the World Cup bronze medal in 1978. But his dream of an Olympic medal was shattered three months before the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, when he was banned from the national team due to an unreported contract offer from THW Kiel. At that time he was accused of planning to flee the Republic - a decision that he and many other athletes made bitterly.

An honorable memory

Wolfgang Böhme's name is often mentioned in the same breath as the brilliant stories of handball. The first name Wolfgang is traditional and widespread in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. What is significant is that it is derived from the Old High German words “wolf” (wolf) and “gang” (path, journey). And like the name itself, Böhme's story also stands for the courage and strength that you have to show on your way to overcome big hurdles. Even though Böhme is the most famous bearer of his name, there are numerous other historical figures who bore this name, such as St. Wolfgang von Regensburg or the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Nevertheless, Böhme's case remains representative of many athletes who suffered from the political pressure of the time and often had to suffer for society and its ideologies. The late honor is intended to represent not just him, but all those who have been marginalized in the sporting world because their personal ambitions and passion were sacrificed.

Growth through challenges

At a time when competitive sports are the focus, stories of overcoming are also important in other areas. An example of this is the hydropower industry, which makes a significant contribution to sustainable energy production. Here, challenges and opportunities are constantly reassessed. Hydropower accounts for the largest share of global renewable energy production and of course has some advantages in terms of reliable costs, but it also has its downsides, for example the change in habitats and the need for careful planning.

The positive aspects, such as reducing greenhouse gases and supporting rural development, should always remain the focus of energy policy. At the same time, we cannot ignore the challenges that come with building such projects. Rather, it requires responsible use in order to make the best possible use of the advantages of renewable energy sources and minimize negative impacts.

Just as Wolfgang Böhme was able to contribute to the honor of handball, many people and projects are doing their part to improve coexistence - whether in sport or in the area of ​​renewable energies.