Hartmut BRIESENICK

Hartmut Briesenick was active in his youth as a breaststroke swimmer before he took up the shot put. He earned the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics, but was more successful at the European Championships, winning in 1971 and 1974, adding European Cup titles in 1970 and 1973, and the indoor titles in 1970-72. Nationally he was East German champion in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1974, and won indoors from 1969-72. Briesenick bettered the European record 16 (!) times, but never managed a world record.

He later studied sports and worked as a youth coach. After German re-unification he worked as a representative for a sports equipment company. He was married twice, first to volleyball national player Marion Riebel, then to his teammate Ilona Schoknecht-Slupianek, but was divorced twice as well. His daughter Sarah Briesenick (with Slupianek) became a successful discus thrower at the national level.

Personal Best: SP – 21.67 (1973).