In 1988, he was awarded a Banner of Labor (2nd Class) by the East German government for his coaching work at SC Dynamo Berlin. Under Buschbacher's guidance, Kathrin Haacker and Judith Zeidler won gold in the coxless pair at the 1989 World Rowing Championships; it was the first East German win in this boat class since 1983. In the following year, Buschbacher coached the women's coxless four and whilst they were the clear favourite at the 1990 World Rowing Championships, they only won silver.
