German coach Gabriele Frehse is retiring with a historic success for Austrian women's gymnastics. Under her guidance, Charlize Mörz became the first Austrian ever to reach a world championship final at the world championships in Jakarta. One day before Frehse's 65th birthday this Saturday, the 20-year-old will be competing for the medals on vault and is one of seven rivals to the German European champion Karina Schönmaier (Chemnitz).
"Cool," said Frehse, "that makes me very proud. A nice finish." Two hearts will be beating in her chest at the vault final. On the one hand, she wants the best possible success for her protégé Mörz. On the other hand, she will also be keeping her fingers crossed for Schönmaier, who competes for TuS Chemnitz-Altendorf, where Frehse is Managing Director. "Karina is fighting for a medal. Charlize is happy that she made it and is trying to show such a beautiful routine again," she said.
"Making it to the final was a huge surprise for me. Gabi and I are just delighted and we are both happy," said Charlize Mörz. This makes Frehse's imminent departure all the more difficult for her. The chemistry between them was right from the start and she was able to learn an incredible amount from her. "I'm very happy that she was there. Of course I'm sad that Gabi is leaving," admitted the 20-year-old. The gymnasts trusted her right from the start. "She showed us how to achieve success."
Review and outlook
Frehse has been the women's national coach at Turnsport Austria since summer 2023, having previously led numerous athletes to the top of the world in Chemnitz. This career ended in 2021 after former protégés, led by former world champion Pauline Schäfer-Betz, accused her of abuse of power and medication as well as harassment. The public prosecutor's office in Chemnitz later dropped the investigation. Frehse had always denied the allegations and also successfully defended herself in court against dismissal by the Olympic training center.
With the world title fights in Indonesia's capital, Frehse is now leaving the big gymnastics stage. It's a strange feeling, she admitted. "But on the other hand, I also know that my decision is the right one. I've spent so many years in these halls and now I just want to enjoy a bit of family life," she said.
Who will succeed Frehse in Austria?
It is currently unclear who will succeed her at the national base in Linz. According to Frehse, who is celebrating her 65th birthday on the flight back from Jakarta, her former master student Sophie Scheder could take over. The 28-year-old 2016 Olympic bronze medallist on the uneven bars ended her career last year and completed her coaching studies with a bachelor's degree. At the beginning of October, she was already at a trial training session with the selection squad. "Sophie is like a second daughter to me. If she does it, I will of course be at her side with help and advice and do everything I can to make sure it goes well," said Frehse.
In future, the successful coach only wants to go into the gym as an observer if she has the time and inclination to do so. "Austria has given me a really, really nice end to my career and I no longer have any nostalgia. I'm just happy when our gymnasts from Chemnitz continue to successfully represent Germany in the world," emphasized Frehse.
What grows in her garden
Nevertheless, there will be no boredom in the future. In addition to her work as Managing Director, she would like to devote more time to her family, become more active in sports again and, as a passionate rose lover, take more care of her long-neglected garden. "I have a lot of roses, old roses," she said. They are a stunner and have a strong scent. "I have a weakness for roses. I inherited it from my grandma."
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