On the occasion of the YONEX German Open 2026, the first five members were inducted into the “German Badminton Hall of Fame.” The club of German champions and friends of badminton took up a suggestion by journalist Bernd-Volker Brahms, who has been writing for Badminton Sport magazine for many years and has published a handbook on badminton. Preparations for the Hall of Fame were completed last year, and the first five members who have rendered outstanding services to German badminton in terms of sport or organization have now been nominated.
Hans Riegel became the first German champion in men’s doubles in 1953 and the first president of the German Badminton Association. He was the head of Haribo and built the first dedicated badminton hall in Germany in Bonn (deceased in 2013).
Irmgard Gerlatzka is one of the most successful German players. Her greatest success was winning the German Open in 1966 in the women’s singles – exactly 60 years ago. She accepted the certificate in person.
Wolfgang Bochow was European champion in 1972 and eight-time German champion in the men’s singles (died in 2017).
Monika Cassens is the most successful player in the GDR and won more than 100 international titles (unfortunately, she could only compete in the Eastern Bloc). Unfortunately, she was unable to travel to Mülheim due to time constraints.
Siegfried Maywald was a legendary official from Bonn who helped build up the sport in the 1950s (died in 2004).
The ceremony, hosted by arena announcer Hartwig Thöne, was conducted by Helmut Ufermann, chairman of the German Champions Club, initiator Bernd-Volker Brahms, and Volkmar Burgold (German Champions Club). Guido Schänzler, former German champion, accepted the honor on behalf of Wolfgang Bochow. Lennard Konder from BC Beuel accepted the certificates for Siegfried Maywald and Hans Riegel. The certificate for Monika Cassens will be passed on by Volkmar Burgold.
Photo: © Sven Heise