Successful medal hunters: Youngsters Nikita Putilov and Denis Bril plus Olympic bronze medalist Nelvie Tiafack – an exciting mix in the “amateur men” category!
Nelvie Tiafack ‘s bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games overshadowed everything in German amateur boxing. But on the way to Paris, the super heavyweight from Cologne had to hold his own against both national (Nikita Putilov) and international competition. First, Tiafack won the necessary Olympic ticket at the first world qualifying tournament. He then confidently beat Mahammad Abdullayev (Azerbaijan) and Diego Lenzi (Italy) at the Games. The 25-year-old was thus assured of bronze – a moment for the boxing history books. It was not until the semi-finals that Tiafack lost to the eventual Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov (Uzbekistan).
Tiafack’s luck was Nikita Putilov’s misfortune, as the super heavyweight from Leipzig was denied an Olympic opportunity. Nevertheless, the youngster won two major gold medals this year: First, he triumphed at the “GB Open” World Cup tournament in January, and at the end of the year he secured what is now his fourth title as German champion. Denis Bril also had a strong year. The 20-year-old semi-welterweight from SC Colonia 06 won both the U22 and Elite German Championships. Bril was also able to gain important international experience when he was called up to the national squad, took part in the second world qualifying tournament and impressed the officials.
Text by Frank Schwantes