Thorsten Schr4der, the beloved speaker of "Tagesschau," suffered a serious injury during his training regimen on the sunny island of Fuerteventura. The 57-year-old triathlete was preparing for the notorious Norseman Xtreme Triathlon taking place later this year, but his plans were abruptly interrupted following a bicycle accident.
On his Instagram account, Schr4der shared the news of his injury, describing it vividly: "A fall, a crack—my training camp ended before it really began." This unfortunate event resulted in him breaking his collarbone, prompting immediate medical attention. He will undergo surgery to repair the fracture, after which he hopes to return to training.
Schr4der’s ambitious goal for 2025 includes participating in the challenging Norseman Xtreme Triathlon scheduled for August 2, which sets the stage for athletes to confront grueling distances involving swimming, cycling, and running. Competitors are required to swim 3.8 kilometers, bike 180 kilometers, and run a full marathon, all the whilst overcoming more than 5,000 meters of elevation. It is regarded as one of the toughest triathlons worldwide.
Despite his injury, the broadcaster remains optimistic. He posted videos showing himself with his arm suspended in a sling, smiling and encouraging fans: "Instead of performance enhancement, it’s pause time for me—hoping still to jump fitfully at Eidfjord on August 2!" A representative from NDR confirmed he would be back on-air for "Tagesschau" starting March 16.
Schr4der's enthusiasm for the Ironman circuit is not new; he previously completed the Ironman competitions successfully in Hawaii in 2017 and 2022. Passionate about triathlons, he often chronicled his ambitious training paths, including his book "Nachrichten vom Ironman” and the currently circulating "Mit jeder Faser – Mein Weg zum härtesten Triathlon der Welt.”
Alongside his upcoming commitments, the accident has, unfortunately, forced him to postpone his scheduled reading event set for March 13 in Kiel. That has been rescheduled to April 17. He reassured fans about his reading on March 27 in Hamburg, specifying it would go on as planned barring any other mishaps.
Schr4der has worked with the NDR network since 1991 and has been the face of "Tagesschau" since 1999. His career has been rooted not only in journalism but also as a devoted member of the sports community, having participated for many years as well as encouraging younger generations.
The Norseman extreme triathlon, which originated in 2003, distinguishes itself from other triathlons, not only through its distance but also its challenging terrains and unpredictable weather conditions, drawing elite competitors from across the globe who are seeking extreme challenges.
Though laying sidelined from physical activities now, Schr4der's resolve reflects the spirit of athletes who continue to pursue their dreams, even when faced with adversity. Fans eagerly await news of his recovery and hope to see him optimize his training schedule for the Norseman race, ensuring his place among the ranks of physical endurance champions.