Harry KURSCHAT

West Berlin-based lightweight boxer Harry Kurschat lost the 1956 Olympic final against Briton Dick McTaggart on a decision. McTaggart earned the Val Barker Trophy as the most stylish boxer of the Games. In 1953-54 and 1956 Kurschat won the West German National Championship and in between, in 1955, he became European Champion. In 1957 he was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf for his Olympic silver medal. He then turned professional in 1958 before retiring in 1961 after 34 bouts in which he won 29, lost three and drew two. He later worked as a magistrate’s clerk for the municipality of Neukölln in Berlin.