Last year, a number of top athletes were missing from the national championships. So how will things look at the upcoming German Championships for men and women on November 20? BOXSPORT has taken a look at the entry lists.
The 101st edition of the German Championships (DM) for elite men and women is coming up. From November 20 to 23 in Halle an der Saale in Saxony-Anhalt. Organizers are the German Boxing Association (DBV) and the Saxony-Anhalt Boxing Association. The registration period ended on October 28. Detlef Jentsch has compiled the list. 125 athletes, 54 female athletes. “A record for women,” emphasizes the DBV sports director in an interview with BOXSPORT. But: Last year, the “first guard was almost completely missing”, admits Jentsch. Quite understandable. After all, the national squads were competing in international competitions, such as qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. This time it’s different, in the “SWH Arena” in the city of the legendary Chemistry Cup. The doubles championship has a high-ranking line-up and the title championship is of the utmost importance to the Saxony-Anhalt state association, which is hosting the event. “The highlight at the end of the year,” emphasizes its president Roland Wandelt.
For the squad places
So, almost everyone who is currently anyone in German Olympic boxing is taking part. They have to be there so that a place on the podium becomes a stepping stone. After all, it’s about squad places in the new Olympic cycle, about inclusion in the national team, says Jentsch. What’s more, individual athletes are already looking towards the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (USA). Provided boxing remains an Olympic sport. A few prominent names are missing, however. Maxi Klötzer, Stefanie von Berge and Silvio Schierle. The reasons: Tournament breaks and injury-related withdrawals. It is also true that not everyone who wants to is allowed to take part. There are entry requirements, conditions for participation in the DM: At least five fights for women, at least 15 wins for men. Exceptions are possible in justified cases.
Speaking of exceptions: Aren’t too many boxers sent to championships too early with too few fights? Stefan Köber, DBV national base manager in Frankfurt/Oder, comments to BOXSPORT: “Whether the number of fights and victories is always sufficient depends on the assessment of the coaches and national associations – and not least on the abilities of the athlete.” Of course, there are sometimes big differences in the end. Nevertheless, quite a few have done well and in some cases even won against more experienced athletes. “Wrestling experience also has to be gained, because you only learn to box by boxing.”
Chance for revenge at the championships
Sara Gläser is one of those eagerly awaiting her elite debut. The 19-year-old super heavyweight (+81 kg) from the Görzig Fuhneland boxing club in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld. The junior squad athlete had already contested the final fight at the U22 German Championships in Eisenhüttenstadt, Brandenburg, in mid-October, but lost unanimously on points to Ilvy Scheibe. An important lesson for Gläser and coach Mathias Bader. Gläser says she will not let this get her down. On the contrary. She now knows that “even at U22 level, I’m up against experienced women in the ring”. It’s a completely different kind of boxing to junior boxing. In Halle/Saale, Gläser will have the chance to take revenge against Scheibe. However, one weight class lower, up to 75 kilograms. Also in the rankings: Irina Schönberger, the established three-time DM title holder. Of course, the two rivals are far more experienced, Gläser knows. “But I have the will to win.” To achieve this, she has sacrificed a lot in her preparation and “worked even harder”.
One of the top performers at the DM will be super heavyweight Nikita Putilov (+92 kg). The Leipzig native is counting on “strong support from friends and acquaintances”, who will only have a short journey to the city on the Saale. The goal? “I always strive to be first, to win gold, regardless of the competition,” says the 21-year-old Putilov in a chat with BOXSPORT. And anything other than winning the title after his first DM triumph in 2022 would be a bitter disappointment for the double European champion and multiple World Cup winner. Especially as one of his biggest rivals has switched to the professional camp after winning Olympic bronze: Nelvie Tiafack. But what significance does the DM have for someone like Putilov, someone who is aiming high? It is probably true that a national championship tournament is “rather second-class” compared to top international tournaments. Only a showdown with the best in Europe and the world “is a real yardstick”.
“Lagging behind”
Melvin Kahrimanovic from Berlin has a similar view. The two-time German heavyweight champion (up to 92 kg) – who spent years in the Bundesliga outfit of BC Traktor Schwerin in the Seilquadrat – explains: “To become a title holder in the USA or England, you have to win nine, ten or more fights”. In Germany, two or three are usually enough. However, Kahrimanovic has noticed a trend: The power density is increasing in Germany, especially at higher limits. But that doesn’t change the findings. “We still often lag behind the national champions of the big boxing nations.” And the DM, will he take part? No. “To be honest, I lack the motivation for Olympic boxing.” He was looking for a new stimulus. And he found it: Switching to the professional boxing circus – like Tiafack.
Despite the painful departure of the new professional duo, the German Men’s and Women’s Championships are “one of the biggest and most prestigious sporting events in Germany” according to the DBV.
Text by Oliver Rast