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SportsWolfgang Behrendt, East Germany's first Olympic boxing champion, dies at 90
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Wolfgang Behrendt, the first Olympic champion from East Germany who won gold in bantamweight boxing at the 1956 Melbourne Games, has died at age 90. His death was revealed just over a week after his birthday on June 22. Former Olympic and world champion Henry Maske expressed deep sorrow, calling Behrendt a reserved, open, pleasant person and a very good boxer. After his boxing career, Behrendt worked as a sports photographer in Berlin, covering Olympic Games and world championships, and was also known for his trumpet playing. He lived reclusively in Schöneweide in recent years. His wife Monika died in 2016, his son Mario (also a boxer) in 2022, and his youngest son Heiko in March 2026. Behrendt became Olympic champion at age 20 and will not be forgotten.
Source report
The boxing world mourns Wolfgang Behrendt. The first Olympic champion from East Germany, who won gold in the bantamweight division in Melbourne in 1956, passed away at the age of 90. His death has now been revealed, just over a week after his birthday on June 22.
BILD reached Olympic champion and world champion Henry Maske (62), who was deeply moved. Maske said: "Wolfgang Behrendt was a very reserved, open, and pleasant person and a very good boxer."
Wolfgang Behrendt worked as a photographer after his career
After his active competitive sports career, Behrendt worked as a sports photographer in Berlin and took part in numerous Olympic Games and world championships. His skill at playing the trumpet was also famous.
Recently, the Berliner lived very reclusively in Schöneweide. His long-time wife Monika passed away in 2016, his son Mario — also a boxer — in 2022, and his youngest son Heiko died this March.
Wolfgang Behrendt became Olympic champion at the age of 20. He will not be forgotten.
Wolfgang Behrendt at the 1956 Olympics on top of the podium. Photo: picture-alliance/dpa
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BILD - SportWestern
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Olympic Boxing Champion Wolfgang Behrendt Dies at 90