After the hall fire, Baltic Sport Neumünster is left with nothing – but the boxers continue to train under the high bridge.
The shock is deep – but giving up is not an option: after the devastating fire that destroyed the boxing hall of the Baltic Sport Neumünster club, the young fighters are now training under the elevated bridge in Kieler Straße – on concrete, between passers-by and the noise of the city.
For trainer Ingolf Blümle, the loss is a hard blow: he and his team had invested almost two years in building the hall – with donations, personal contributions and a lot of passion. “That was our future,” says the 66-year-old, who founded the boxing division. Now they are standing in front of the ruins – and still continue to train. Ali Bichri, one of the club’s most talented fighters, is also affected. For him, the gym was a second home – and boxing a chance for a new start. The 24-year-old remains combative: “We’ll get it back together.”
Until a new hall is found, the 35 or so members are training with what’s left – old skipping ropes, a few claws and a lot of willpower. Preparations for upcoming competitions are underway – even when the asphalt is burning underfoot. Baltic Sport shows: True fighters never give up.
Text by Robin Josten