Gerolf Seemann, cousin of Gottfried Seemann , was an important badminton player in the early years of East German badminton. He belonged to the team of activist Tröbitz , which in April 1960 became the GDR's first team champion in badminton . After a 2nd place for the team in 1961 , 10 more titles followed for Tröbitz , whereby Gerolf Seemann was a regular player in the first 5 titles in this series. He celebrated his greatest success in the individual disciplines at the first GDR championship in 1961 . Here he won the very first double title in the GDR with his regular double partner and cousin Friedel Seemann . In the following season the "seamen" failed in the semifinals and could not defend their title. Then Erich Wilde switched to Gottfried Seemann's side in doubles. This pairing was even more successful than seaman / seaman, they won the following five double titles in a row.
