A Generous Gesture from Oberhavel’s Top Athlete

Oranienburg was the setting for a heartwarming display of sportsmanship and community support as Kai Menzel, named Oberhavel’s Athlete of the Year 2025, announced his immediate donation of his prize money to a local hospice. The announcement came during the awards ceremony held in the Oranienburg Tower Adventure City.

“My prize money will go to the hospice,”

Kai Menzel

Menzel, an ultra-endurance athlete from SSV Hohen Neuendorf, also used the platform to promote his club’s upcoming charity run scheduled for July 10th and 11th in Kremmen.

Beyond Individual Achievement: A Team Spirit

Menzel emphasized the honor of being recognized within the Oberhavel sporting community, stating, Being here as a marginal sport honors me and means a lot to me. And it motivates me to keep going as an athlete this year. He highlighted his role as a board member, trainer, and athlete, embodying a true jack-of-all-trades spirit.

The evening also celebrated the achievements of rising stars like Luisa Kutscha, a nine-year-old judo talent from Oranienburg, who secured the title in the junior category and led her U11 girls team to victory as the best team.

“I can’t really believe it yet and I’m just really happy. Next year, of course, I want to defend my title,”

Luisa Kutscha

Coach of the Year Inspires Next Generation

Christian Grochowski of SV Stahl Hennigsdorf was recognized as Coach of the Year. He expressed his surprise and joy at receiving the honor, attributing it to years of dedicated work in developing the athletics department into a real talent factory. His focus remains on fostering a fun and engaging environment for young athletes.

Record-Breaking Voter Turnout

The athlete of the year voting, organized by MAZ, saw a record-breaking turnout with over 8,100 votes cast in December and January, demonstrating the strong community engagement in recognizing local athletic talent.

Kai Menzel: A Profile in Endurance

Kai Menzel is a long-distance athlete who has competed in numerous half marathons, marathons, and ultra-marathons, including the Rennsteig Supermarathon. He also excels in ultra-walking, founding a training group at SSV Hohen Neuendorf. In 2025, he achieved a personal best of just over 16 hours for a 100km walk. He is also a participant in the International Walking Association (IML), earning the title of “European Walker” in 2024 and the “Silver Medal” in 2025.

Menzel is actively involved in fundraising for the hospice, having raised nearly €500 in 2024 and over €1,200 in 2025 through participation in charity runs, and walks.