Team Sauerland head coach Ulli Wegner today received the German Federal Cross of Merit. The 68-year-old, who has been voted German coach of the year seven straight times, was honored for his career accomplishments, fightnews.com reported.

He has led the likes of Marco Huck, Sven Ottke, Markus Beyer and Cecilia Braekhus to world titles and also guided Arthur Abraham to international stardom. “This is a great honour,” Wegner said. “It really means a lot to me. Without my team and of course my athletes, this would have never been possible. I am deeply touched.”