It was a Christmas miracle for 2016 Rio beach Olympian Laura Ludwig this year as she announced on her Facebook that she would be taking the 2018 beach season off because she is pregnant.
The baby is expected in June of 2018, right in the middle of the beach volleyball season, so her partner Kira Walkenhorst will have to pick up a new partner for the 2018 season. Walkenhorst is coming off a minor hip surgery that she had earlier this month but is expected to be back on the sand early in the season.
“Nothing changes our sporting plans – I am keeping myself fit so Kira and I can defend our titles in 2019 and 2020,” said Ludwig to Beach Major Series.
Ludwig/Walkenhorst won the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and followed up that performance with winning the 2017 Beach World Championships. Additionally, the duo took the 2017 World Tour title as well following Ludwig’s shoulder surgery that took her out of the beginning of the 2017 season. The duo was also recently named the Best Team in Germany in their end of season award banquet.
It is unknown at the time who Walkenhorst will pair up with for the 2018 season.
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