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Football hero Roland Zahn: Returned from Japan with a gold medal!
Roland Zahn, former footballer from Hornhausen, returns from Japan with a gold medal and emphasizes the social importance of sport.
Football hero Roland Zahn: Returned from Japan with a gold medal!
In October 2025, Roland Zahn from Hornhausen will return from Japan as a proud soccer world champion. The 85-year-old won his gold medal with an exceptional performance at the Senior World Championships in Tokyo. What really drives Zahn is not just the competition, but also the opportunity to maintain social contacts and avoid isolation in old age. The passionate athlete has been playing football since 1957, currently at TSV Hadmersleben, and also keeps fit by playing football tennis at Oscherslebener SC. For him, football is a true elixir of life, full of life energy and joy.
The German delegation to the World Cup consisted of 55 people, most of whom traveled to Tokyo at their own expense. Zahn praises the excellent organization and hospitality of the Japanese. “We were invited to the embassy, but there were only 30 sandwiches,” jokes the world champion, highlighting the friendly atmosphere throughout the tournament. Due to a cancellation by the Welsh, Germany even went into the final round early: initially the German team was incorrectly declared as the tournament winner before they triumphed in the real final with a confident 3-0 win against England.
Sport as a community project
Sport not only has personal meaning for Zahn, but also plays a central role in society. The Department of Sports Sociology at the Humboldt University Berlin deals with the essential question of how sport contributes to integration and social cohesion. The research results are incorporated into advice and exchange with various actors in social life and shed light on aspects such as racism, belonging and participation in sports activities.
An example of the relevance of football in society can also be seen in the diversity of participants in World Cups. According to Wikipedia, a total of 80 nations have taken part since 1930, and the successes of the teams vary greatly. Brazil leads with five titles, followed by Germany and Italy, who have each won the tournament four times. It is remarkable how football brings together different cultures and unites people from all walks of life, which explains the fascination for this sport.
Health through sport
Football not only has sporting but also health benefits for Zahn and many other seniors. Regular exercise and social interaction are crucial to staying active and vital as you age. Zahn sees sport as a means of promoting joy in life and activity. His passion for football teaches us that it is never too late to discover new things and make friends.