Dimo Wache, a former goalkeeper at FSV Mainz 05, paid a high health price for his successful professional career: he has already had to endure 36 operations on his battered body. For his exceptional perseverance, he has now been awarded the DUMUSSTKÄMPFEN prize by the Jonathan Heimes initiative.
Three quarters of an hour until kick-off: Dimo Wache is on his way to the Böllenfalltor stadium. The fan chants swell, the air vibrates. The goalkeeper coach of the second division team Darmstadt 98 consciously soaks up the mood. “Feeling, smelling, tasting this atmosphere,” he describes his feelings in an interview with SWR Sport when he controls the warm-up work of the goalkeepers in the penalty area. “I still don’t take it for granted that I can walk in there every week. Definitely!” Because his last break due to serious operations lasted two years, the doctors gave him no hope – but the 49-year-old fought back. For the umpteenth time now.
36 operations at Dimo Wache
Dimo Wache played 406 competitive games for FSV Mainz 05, was promoted to the Bundesliga twice and is the honorary captain of the club from the Rhineland-Palatinate capital. The price for the hard job between the posts is high: broken shoulders, stiffened ankles, two artificial knee joints and a number of other operations. “There were 35, 36 surgeries that I had to endure,” says Dimo Wache and becomes thoughtful. Because the latent pain is accompanied by the compulsion to take a break and start again with every intervention: “Because you’re condemned to do nothing. You really shouldn’t put any pressure on your foot for three months. And if you’re actually an active person, It’s not that easy. And I think I’ve pissed my family off at one point or another!” Dimo Wache laughs.
family as support
The emotional evening of the award ceremony impressively shows that his family is his great support throughout all the difficult years. Wife Simone and daughter Nele accompany Dimo Wache to the Darmstadt event location H7, where he will be presented with the DUMUSTKÄMPFEN prize 2022. The performance of the ex-professional is recognized by none other than Torsten Lieberknecht, native of the Palatinate, head coach of Darmstadt 98 and above all: a big friend of Dimo Wache for over two decades.
In his laudatory speech, Lieberknecht summed up Wache’s fighter nature: “His iron discipline and his belief in being able to achieve the impossible is a story with immensely positive power.” A standing ovation follows. Dimo Wache is deeply touched. And thanks again to his family and friends who have stood by him through turbulent times. “And to Johnny. He’s definitely here with us now,” says Dimo Wache with tears in his eyes.
Commemorating Johnny Heimes
Johnny, this is Jonathan Heimes, once a highly talented tennis player from Darmstadt. As a teenager, however, he developed a brain tumor, successfully fought cancer for years and even founded the “DUMUSTKÄMPFEN!” initiative with his family. During the Lilien’s sensational ascent from the 3rd division to the Bundesliga, Johnny was the motivator, companion and mascot in equal measure. When Jonathan Heimes died of the tumor at the age of 26, Dimo Wache also mourned at his funeral. “I’m really glad that I was able to follow this path a little bit,” reflects Wache. “Because I learned from it personally, too. Because he never gave up!”
Daily painkillers
And Dimo Wache doesn’t want to give up either – despite all the consequences of his professional career, which can still be felt every day. Because the 49-year-old will probably never be completely fit or even pain-free. “Painkillers are actually my daily companion, unfortunately, because something else always hurts.”
In a total of 406 competitive games, Dimo Wache stood between the posts for FSV Mainz 05
The fact that he and his friend Torsten Lieberknecht successfully coached the team on the day of the award ceremony is almost irrelevant. The whole stadium roared at the goals in Darmstadt 98’s 2-0 win over Nuremberg, only Dimo Wache enjoyed himself in silence and preferred to remain seated: “If at least one person on the bench keeps a clear head, that’s an advantage.” Wache has to smile and laughs heartily when asked whether not cheering is a precautionary measure to protect his body: “Jumping up might cause problems, but getting up works.”
And if anyone can get up, it’s him. He has proven that countless times in his life. Dimo Wache – a quiet but impressive role model in the noisy football business.
