Hannes KOCH

East German born Hannes Koch placed 16th at the 1960 Roma Olympics in the 20 km walk and was seventh at the 1962 European Championships in the 50 km, all for East Germany. After the 1962 Europeans in Frankfurt am Main, Koch stayed in West Germany. In East Germany he was national champion in the 50 km in 1959 and 1961, and then won West German titles in 1964 and 1965 in the 20 km. He also took part in four international matches for East Germany and 11 international matches for West Germany. After his career Koch remained active in athletics as a youth coach in the West German Track and Field Association and as a statistician in race walking. In the summer of 1994, Hannes Koch had his first heart attack, dying after a second one at Christmas later that year.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-29:52 (1960).