Maria Sander

Sprinter and hurdler Maria Sander was West German champion over 80 metre hurdles in 1943, 1946, 1948, 1949, and 1951-54, and in the 100 metres in 1952-54. She qualified for the 1952 Helsinki Games and took fifth place in the 100, winning bronze in the 80 hurdles and adding a silver with the sprint relay, recording the same world record mark as the winning USA team. Four years later in Melbourne Sander came in sixth with the relay, although the team set a world record in the heats. She was also eliminated in the heats of the 80 hurdles. At the 1954 European Championships Sander earned two more silvers in the pentathlon and with the sprint relay, after retiring in the heats of the 80 hurdles.

For her performances Sander was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf twice, in 1950 and 1952, and the Rudolf Harbig Memorial Award in 1956. Her nephew Wolfgang “Teddy” de Beer was a goalkeeper at German soccer club BVB Borussia Dortmund and became German Champion in 1995 and 1996. Maria Sander was educated as a farmer and a photo lab technician. She later also owned a sporting goods shop in Dinslaken.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.8 (1952); 80H – 10.9 (1956).