Dirk Klingenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dirk Klingenberg |
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Klingenberg in 2011
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| Born | 23 July 1969 (age 57) Duisburg, West Germany |
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Dirk Klingenberg is a famous former water polo player from Germany. He was born on July 23, 1969, in Duisburg. Many people consider him one of Germany's best water polo players from the 1990s.
Contents
Dirk Klingenberg's Sports Journey
Dirk Klingenberg started playing water polo in 1980 in his hometown of Duisburg. He first joined the ASC Duisburg team. A year later, he moved to the Duisburger SV 98.
Playing for Spandau 04
After playing for 10 years in Duisburg, Dirk moved to Berlin in 1991. There, he joined the Wasserfreunde Spandau 04 team. This was a very successful time for him! He helped his team win 17 national titles while playing in Berlin. He was also the top scorer in the water polo Bundesliga (Germany's main league) twice.
Playing for Germany
Dirk Klingenberg played for the German national team in 190 international games. His big dream was to play in the Olympic Games, and he achieved this goal in 1996. In 1998, he became the team speaker for the national water polo team. The next year, in 1999, he was even chosen for the World-All-Star-Team, which means he was considered one of the best players in the world!
Ending His Playing Career
Dirk slowly started to finish his playing career in Düsseldorf. In the 1999/2000 season, he helped the Düsseldorfer SC team reach the first league.
Amazing Achievements
Dirk Klingenberg had many great achievements during his water polo career.
Success with Wasserfreunde Spandau
- German Champions: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
- German Cup: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
- German Super Cup: 1997
Success with the National Team
- European Junior Championship: 3rd place (1985)
- Junior World Cup: 3rd place (1989)
- European Championship: 7th place (1991), 9th place (1993), 3rd place (1995)
- Good-Will-Games: 2nd place
- World Cup: 9th place (1994)
- Olympic Games: 9th place (1996)
Dirk's Career After Sports
Even while playing water polo, Dirk Klingenberg also focused on his professional career.
Working in Marketing
From 1999 to 2008, he worked in sports marketing. He was in charge of marketing and sports events for Deutsche Telekom AG.
Starting His Own Business
In 2009, Dirk started his own company called Klingenberg Sportconsulting GmbH. He became an independent consultant. His company helps other companies and brands with their strategies and plans. They also manage creative events and projects.
Teaching and Consulting
Dirk also teaches at a media university in Cologne. He is also a consultant for the German national water polo team. In 2014, another company, Exit-Network Holding, invested in his sports marketing agency. Dirk also joined the management of their subsidiary, Exit-Media GmbH. After four years, he left Exit-Sports GmbH. Since February 2018, Dirk Klingenberg has been working as an independent consultant. He helps different clients with sponsoring and partnerships.
Personal Life
Dirk Klingenberg has two children, Zoe and Mira Klingenberg. They live in Cologne. Dirk moved his work and personal life focus to Berlin in 2015.
