Harry Kurschat: Boxing Career and Key Results
Harry Kurschat was a West Berlin lightweight who reached the Olympic final at Melbourne 1956. He won silver after losing a close decision to Scotland’s Dick McTaggart, one of the most accomplished amateur boxers of his generation.
A European and German champion
Before the Olympics, Kurschat won West German national titles in 1953, 1954, and 1956, and became European champion in 1955. His Olympic silver brought further recognition, including Germany’s Silver Bay Leaf award in 1957.
A brief professional career
Kurschat turned professional in 1958 and retired in 1961. His pro record comprised 29 wins, three losses, and two draws across 34 bouts. His lasting claim to boxing history, however, is the Olympic final and the national and European titles that preceded it.
Career Milestones
Kurschat’s Melbourne 1956 medal was silver in the lightweight division. Reaching the final placed him above the semifinal bronze position, but the final defeat meant he was not Olympic champion. His international record should retain that distinction when describing his standing among Germany’s leading amateur boxers. It was an achievement within an Olympic tournament, separate from any professional championship or career record.
Kurschat’s silver contributed to Germany’s boxing results at Melbourne. The amateur medal remains separate from the professional win-loss totals used to describe another stage of a boxer’s career.
Selected Recorded Results
- 1964-05-29: Harry Kurschat drew with Bodo Wuesten in Rosengarten, Mannheim.
- 1964-04-24: Harry Kurschat won against Manfred Lessmann in Westfalenhalle, Dortmund.
- 1963-03-30: Harry Kurschat lost to Daniel Brunet in Sporthalle, Bietigheim-Bissingen.
- 1963-03-09: Harry Kurschat won against Stefan Palffy in Sporthalle, Esslingen.
- 1963-01-12: Harry Kurschat won against Klaus Klein in Fellbacher Stadthalle, Fellbach.
- 1962-11-24: Harry Kurschat won against Miguel Campos Lopez in Frankenhalle, Wurzburg.
- 1961-05-26: Harry Kurschat won against Miguel Campos Lopez in Halle Siegerland, Siegen.
- 1961-03-18: Harry Kurschat lost to Conny Rudhof in Autobushalle, Rüsselsheim.
Sources
Olympedia; Olympedia: 1956 men’s lightweight final; Recorded professional bout history.
Article Tags
Harry Kurschat, Boxing, Sports History
