Heinrich Köberle
Encyclopedia
Heinrich Köberle, born in 1946, is a German
athlete. He competes in wheelchair marathon
s in a handcycle, and has won four gold medals in marathons at the Paralympic Games
- more than any other athlete. He holds the record for the fastest men's marathon in his disability category (the most severe for wheelchair athletes), set in Berlin in 1995, in 2:23:08.
Köberle first participated in the Paralympic Games when the marathon was introduced in 1984. He competed in category 1A
(wheelchair marathon for athletes with the most severe level of disability). Only three athletes began the race, and only Köberle reached the finish line, obtaining his first Paralympic gold medal with a time of 3:41:47. He defended his title in 1988, in a more competitive event, in which all four starters reached the finish line. Köberle came first, drastically improving his previous performance, completing the marathon in 2:50:39 - almost seven minutes ahead of second-placed Rainer Kueschall (of Switzerland). In 1992, the number of competitors increased to ten. Köberle won in 2:32:56, this time only twenty-four seconds ahead of Kueschall - but setting a Paralympic record which still stands. In 1996, he won gold for the fourth consecutive time, in 2:49:11. The slower time was sufficient for gold, as four of his six opponents failed to complete the race. Those four gold medals established a record which remains unbeaten in the Paralympic marathon, in any disability category. In 2000, he competed for the fifth and final time, and completed the race in 2:48:45, well short of his personal best achieved five years earlier. His performance was sufficient for a silver medal ; Alvise de Vidi
of Italy won gold, just over a minute ahead of him.
Though he no longer competes at the Paralympic Games, Köberle still takes part in marathons as of 2010.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
athlete. He competes in wheelchair marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
s in a handcycle, and has won four gold medals in marathons at the Paralympic Games
Marathon at the Paralympics
Marathon events have been held at the Summer Paralympic Games, for both men and women, since the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville and New York....
- more than any other athlete. He holds the record for the fastest men's marathon in his disability category (the most severe for wheelchair athletes), set in Berlin in 1995, in 2:23:08.
Köberle first participated in the Paralympic Games when the marathon was introduced in 1984. He competed in category 1A
Athletics at the 1984 Summer Paralympics – Men's marathon 1A
The Men's marathon 1A was a wheelchair marathon event in athletics at the 1984 Summer Paralympics. It was designed for male athletes in category 1A, with the most severe levels of disability. Three runners started the race: Heinrich Koeberle from West Germany, his compatriot H. Lobbering , and...
(wheelchair marathon for athletes with the most severe level of disability). Only three athletes began the race, and only Köberle reached the finish line, obtaining his first Paralympic gold medal with a time of 3:41:47. He defended his title in 1988, in a more competitive event, in which all four starters reached the finish line. Köberle came first, drastically improving his previous performance, completing the marathon in 2:50:39 - almost seven minutes ahead of second-placed Rainer Kueschall (of Switzerland). In 1992, the number of competitors increased to ten. Köberle won in 2:32:56, this time only twenty-four seconds ahead of Kueschall - but setting a Paralympic record which still stands. In 1996, he won gold for the fourth consecutive time, in 2:49:11. The slower time was sufficient for gold, as four of his six opponents failed to complete the race. Those four gold medals established a record which remains unbeaten in the Paralympic marathon, in any disability category. In 2000, he competed for the fifth and final time, and completed the race in 2:48:45, well short of his personal best achieved five years earlier. His performance was sufficient for a silver medal ; Alvise de Vidi
Alvise De Vidi
Alvise De Vidi is a paralympic athlete from Italy competing mainly in category T51 wheelchair racing events.Alvise has competed in 5 Paralympics across two sports winning 12 medals seven of them gold...
of Italy won gold, just over a minute ahead of him.
Though he no longer competes at the Paralympic Games, Köberle still takes part in marathons as of 2010.