The German women’s bowling team on the final day at the Special Olympics World Games: Constanze Pajonk, Kerstin Patermann, Daniela March, Kathrin Degner (from left) Photo: Matthew Koch
By Joerg Lubrich
“JAAA!” Kathrin Degner, Daniela March and Kerstin Patermann screech their joy. They jump out of their leather seats at Berlin’s Bowling World on the first finals day of the Special Olympics World Games.
The women celebrate a strike by their teammate Constanze Pajonk. With one throw she has cleared all ten pins and gets extra throws with her five-kilo ball.
Head coach Uwe Sycksch cheers on his four Berlin women: “Keep it up! And always play nicely into the middle!”
After three games (frames) the quartet has knocked down 1400 pins (1400 points). 5th place! But our bowling women celebrate like they’ve won.
Finger cheering: Berliner Kathrin Degner in Bowling World Photo: Matthew Koch
Constanze Pajonk is the most successful bowler with 411 points. “Best performance,” she says happily.
Kerstin Patermann, on the other hand, is annoyed by her two rats, which is what they call false throws. “It doesn’t matter, being there is everything. The focus is on having fun,” she adds.
Victory goes to Belgium. Our men’s team takes bronze.
Let’s go! Kathrin Degner throws her 4.5-kilo bowling ball in Berlin’s Bowling World on Tuesday Photo: Matthew Koch
The four have been active in the bowling alley for around two and a half years, training once a week. Kathrin Degner even won individual gold at the national Special Games 2022.
Coach Sycksch calls the quartet together again: “Now regenerate well. And that’s not just an empty phrase.” Maybe things will go even better in the next few days…