“She wants to be a professional rider”
Ex-professional footballer’s daughter with cancer has big dream
01/10/2026 – 10:33 amReading time: 1 min.
Dennis Diekmeier’s daughter Delani has been battling cancer for almost a year. But a hobby gives her strength – and will soon be more than just a hobby.
Delani Diekmeier, who has cancer, dreams of a career in competitive sports. As her father, ex-footballer Dennis Diekmeier, revealed in an RTL interview, the 15-year-old has a clear goal. “She just wants to be a professional rider.”
She celebrated a special success at a riding tournament in Eppelheim at the beginning of the year: Delani won a class L style jumping test on her horse Col d’Amour – she was the only participant to receive a score of 8.0 – in the middle of ongoing cancer treatment.
The oldest of Dana and Dennis Diekmeier’s four children was diagnosed with a tumor on the adrenal gland. Although this was surgically removed, doctors discovered metastases in both lungs shortly afterwards. At times, Delani was classified as a palliative patient before her parents found other medical contacts.
Shortly before Christmas, the 15-year-old underwent a new so-called Imaza therapy from nuclear medicine at the Würzburg University Hospital – with initial success.
She draws the strength for her journey primarily from equestrian sport. “Her horse gives her so much power, you can’t imagine it,” said Dennis Diekmeier. Therapy will continue shortly. Then it will become clear how successful the treatment has been so far.