Christopher Ruhr had the mark of a special player the moment he set foot on the turf in New Delhi at the 1993 Junior World Cup.
His dazzling runs down the centre of the pitch and his penchant for goal scoring brought him the player of the tournament award at the event Ruhr, who hails from Hamburg, found the net nine times to help bring Germany their sixth title.
One of those goals came in the final against France which Germany won 5-2.
Ruhr then seamlessly graduated into the senior string in which he has been the attacking mainstay.
At the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday, Ruhr was at the centre of the buzz that made for German ascendancy in a tough World Cup opener against Pakistan.
Germany won 1-0 but Ruhr was a constant menace to the Pakistan defence often making use of man-of-the-match Mats Grambusch’s fine lead-up work in midfield.
Ruhr epitomizes Germany’s intellectual roster.
Studying medicine, Ruhr hopes to emulate his captain Martin Haner who is already a doctor and a player of the previous generation Michael Green — one of his country’s hockey icons.
Ruhr took to hockey at six years of age, simply following his two sisters and brother on to the pitch.
At 25, Ruhr has much to offer hockey and makes no secret of his fondness of playing in India.
“It’s always a special occasion to play in India. The crowds have supported Germany and playing Pakistan here has also been special,” he said.
Ruhr expectedly enjoyed his stint with Ranchi Rays in the Hockey India League but put his thoughts about the FIH Hockey Pro League, due to start in January, on the back burner.
“I am thinking only of the World Cup, for now,” he said.