Gesche Schünemann facts for kids
Schünemann at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Toronto
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality |  Germany |
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| Born | 18 November 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 175 centimetres (69 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wheelchair basketball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability class | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Women's team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | RSV Lahn-Dill (2008–2013) BG Baskets Hamburg (2013–2016) |
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| Retired | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paralympic finals | 2008 Summer Paralympics 2012 Summer Paralympics 2016 Summer Paralympics |
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Medal record
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Gesche Schünemann, born on November 18, 1982, is a famous German former wheelchair basketball player. She is a true Paralympian, which means she competed in the Paralympic Games.
She won a silver medal with the German women's team at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. Four years later, she helped her team win the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Gesche had a promising basketball career when she was younger. However, a serious knee injury stopped her from playing regular basketball. She then discovered wheelchair basketball and played her first game in 2000. She became a very successful player, winning five national championships with her club team, RSV Lahn-Dill. She joined the German national team in 2005 and made her first international appearance in 2007.
Contents
Gesche Schünemann's Early Life and Journey to Wheelchair Basketball
Gesche Schünemann was born in Gießen, Germany, on November 18, 1982. As a child, she enjoyed both swimming and basketball.
Overcoming an Injury
During a basketball game, Gesche suffered a severe knee injury. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damaged her cartilage. Even after several operations, her knee was not strong enough for her to play professional basketball again. However, she was still able to walk.
This injury meant she had to stop playing basketball for a while. She moved to Tübingen to study sports management. In 2012, she worked as a marketing consultant. Even though she coached and played in a regional league, her knee continued to bother her.
Discovering Wheelchair Basketball
Andreas Joneck, who later became a manager for a wheelchair basketball team, encouraged Gesche to try wheelchair basketball. She started playing on her 18th birthday. This was a new beginning for her in sports.
Gesche Schünemann's Club Career
Gesche played for RSV Lahn-Dill, a very successful wheelchair basketball club. She helped them win the German national championship five times. These wins happened in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. She played as a forward for the team.
In 2013, Gesche moved to Hamburg. There, she joined BG Baskets Hamburg. This team is special because it includes both male and female players. In April 2014, her new team won the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Euro League Challenge Cup. This was their first international title.
Gesche Schünemann's International Career and Paralympic Success
Gesche began training with the German national wheelchair basketball team in November 2005. Her first international competition was the European championships in 2007.
Winning European Championships
The German national team won the gold medal at the European championships in 2007. They continued their winning streak, taking gold again in 2009 and 2011. In 2013, they lost to the Netherlands, earning a silver medal. In 2015, they beat the Netherlands to win their tenth European title.
Paralympic Games Achievements
Gesche participated in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. The German team reached the gold medal game but was defeated by the United States. They proudly took home Paralympic silver medals. After this impressive performance, the team was named Germany's "Team of the Year." They also received the Silver Laurel Leaf, which is Germany's highest award for sports.
At the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, the German team hoped to play against the United States again. Instead, they faced the Australian team in the final. In front of a huge crowd of over 12,000 people, Germany defeated Australia to win the gold medal. This was the first time Germany had won gold in women's wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics since 1984. The team received another Silver Laurel Leaf and was again named Team of the Year for 2012.
After the London Paralympics, Gesche had to rest for three months due to surgery on her finger. However, she returned to play in the 2013 European Championships. In 2014, she won a silver medal at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Toronto, where Canada defeated Germany in the final.
At the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the German team won another silver medal after losing the final to the United States.
Gesche Schünemann retired from club wheelchair basketball in 2016 and from the national team in 2018.
Major Achievements
- 2007: Gold medal at the European Championships (Wetzlar, Germany)
- 2008: Silver medal at the Paralympic Games (Beijing, China)
- 2009: Gold medal at the European Championships (Stoke Mandeville, England)
- 2010: Silver medal at the World Championships (Birmingham, England)
- 2011: Gold medal at the European Championships (Nazareth, Israel)
- 2012: Gold medal at the Paralympic Games (London, England)
- 2013: Silver medal at the European Championships (Frankfurt, Germany)
- 2014: Silver medal at the World Championships (Toronto, Canada)
- 2015: Gold medal at the European Championships (Worcester, England)
- 2016: Silver medal at the Paralympic Games (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Awards and Recognition
- 2008: Named "Team of the Year"
- 2008: Awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf
- 2012: Named "Team of the Year" again
- 2012: Awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf again
