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SportsWolfgang Behrendt, first Olympic champion of East Germany, dies at 90
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Wolfgang Behrendt, the first Olympic champion of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), has died at the age of 90, just over a week after his birthday on June 22. Behrendt won gold in the bantamweight division at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. His death was announced by the Berlin Boxing Association, which praised him as an extraordinary personality who made history as an athlete. Olympic champion Henry Maske expressed deep sorrow, describing Behrendt as a reserved, open-minded, and pleasant person and a very good boxer. After his boxing career, Behrendt worked as a sports photographer in Berlin, covering numerous Olympic Games and world championships. He was also known for his trumpet playing. Behrendt lived reclusively in Schöneweide in recent years. He was predeceased by his wife Monika (2016), his son Mario (2022), and his youngest son Heiko (March 2026).
Source report
The boxing world mourns the loss of Wolfgang Behrendt, the first Olympic champion of the former East Germany (GDR). Behrendt, who won gold in the bantamweight division at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, died at the age of 90. His passing was announced just over a week after his birthday on June 22.
Tributes from the Boxing Community
BILD reached Olympic and world champion Henry Maske (62), who was deeply moved by the news.
"Wolfgang Behrendt was a very reserved, open-minded and pleasant person and a very good boxer." — Henry Maske
The Berlin Boxing Association issued an obituary, stating:
"The Berlin Boxing Association loses an extraordinary personality of German boxing with him. Wolfgang Behrendt made history as an athlete and, with his Olympic victory in 1956 in Melbourne as the first Olympic champion of the GDR, occupies a special place in sports history. His successes, his passion for boxing and his connection to our sports community remain unforgettable. He was a role model for many boxers and sustainably shaped the reputation of boxing. The Berlin Boxing Association will always keep an honorable memory of Wolfgang Behrendt."
Life After Boxing
Following his competitive career, Behrendt worked as a sports photographer in Berlin, covering numerous Olympic Games and world championships. He was also well known for his trumpet playing.
In recent years, Behrendt lived a reclusive life in Schöneweide, Berlin. He was preceded in death by:
- Monika (2016) — his long-time wife
- Mario (2022) — his son, also a boxer
- Heiko (March 2026) — his youngest son
Wolfgang Behrendt became Olympic champion at the age of 20. He remains unforgettable.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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German Olympic Boxing Champion Wolfgang Behrendt Dies at 90