The Paralympic summer games in Tokyo have ended with a big closing ceremony. And there were reasons for everyone to celebrate – above all the athletes from TSB Bayer 04 Leverkusen: the Paralympians from the Rhineland picked up eight medals and helped Germany to finish twelfth in the international medal table (13 golds, 12 silver, 18 bronze).
Taliso Engel set a new world record (1:03.52 minutes) in a previous round of the 100 metre breaststroke race. He was unable to match that in the final (1:02.97) as he won gold for Germany.
There was similar success for Johannes Floors: The Paralympic sprinter impressively lived up to his role as the favourite in the 400 metres race as he finished first. Floors run the race in 45.85 seconds. It was his first individual gold. (I could cry. I've worked for five years to be at the front and run it down," said the 26-year-old after his triumph. Floors also picked up a Paralympic bronze in the second discipline, the 100 metres race.
Markus Rehm Also comes home with a gold medal. The 33-year-old won his third long jump gold medal in succession in Tokyo. Rehm triumphed in the rain with a jump of 8.18 metres, 79 centimetres ahead of the Frenchman Dmitri Pavarde.
Léon Schäfer (long jump/100 metres) and Irmgard Bensusan (100/200 metres) just missed out on gold. in the competition of above-knee amputee long jumpers, Schaefer won the silver medal and he finished in third place in the 100 metre sprint. Bensusan finished second behind Marlene van Gansewinkel over 100 metres as well as over the double distance.
Germany's sitting volleyball team, with the Leverkusen athletes Dominik Albrecht, Stefan Hähnlein, Lukas Schiwiy, Jürgen Schrapp and Mathis Tigler starting, achieved sixth place – the Germany team lost out to Egypt's after a total of five sets (23:25, 26:24, 18:25, 25:22 and 8:15).
An overview of the TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen athletes at the Paralympics: Taliso Engel (swimming), Nele Moos (100 metres/400 metres), Léon Schäfer (long jump/100 metres), Johannes Floors (100 metres/400 metres), Markus Rehm (long jump), Irmgard Bensusan (100 metres/200 metres), Maria Tietze (100 metres/200 metres), David Behre (relay), Lise Petersen (javelin), Dominik Albrecht (sitting volleyball), Stefan Hähnlein (sitting volleyball), Lukas Schiwiy (sitting volleyball), Jürgen Schrapp (sitting volleyball), Mathis Tigler (sitting volleyball).
Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.
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Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.
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The Europa League campaign continues: Bayer 04 host Olympique Marseille at the BayArena on matchday four of the group stage on Thursday 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Ahead of the clash against the club from the French Mediterranean coast, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the visitors’ form and had some good news regarding the squad. Former OM player Facundo Medina spoke, amongst other things, about the factors that will be crucial against his old club.
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The Bayer 04 Round of 16 tie in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been scheduled. The Werkself will host Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Wednesday, 2 December, at 18:00 CET. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB).
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