Expressing sorrow for a loss. - Seasoned boxing instructor Manfred Wolke passes away at 81 years old.
The German boxing community is saddened by the passing of Manfred Wolke, who was the coach of Henry Maske. The former coach died on Wednesday at the age of 81 in his hometown of Frankfurt/Oder, according to Maske and the German Press Agency, who cited the family. The "Welt" newspaper and radio station 91.7 Oderwelle had earlier reported the news. Wolke is survived by his wife and three children.
Maske, 60, said, "He was undoubtedly the coach for me. Some athletes who were seen as average became internationally successful boxers under him. Of course, the athlete has to do it themselves, but Manfred Wolke was the companion who showed them possibilities and set demands that they probably wouldn't have achieved otherwise."
Wolke was a successful coach both as an athlete and as a trainer. In 1968, he won gold as a welterweight at the Mexico City Olympics. He was also vice-European champion in 1967 and 1971. At the 1972 Munich Olympics, he carried the East German flag into the Olympic Stadium.
Wolke rose to fame alongside Maske, whom he transformed into an Olympic champion in the middleweight category in 1988 in Seoul and later into a world champion (half-heavyweight) - both as an amateur and later as a professional. He also led featherweight Rudi Fink to Olympic gold in 1980 in Moscow.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Wolke played a significant role in triggering a boxing boom in Germany. He also took heavyweight Axel Schulz, whom he had already trained as an amateur, into the professional ranks despite widespread opposition.
Trainer legend Ulli Wegner told the German Press Agency, "He was definitely one of the best trainers. There are hardly any athletes who are as successful and also work as trainers successfully."
After his career as a coach, Wolke continued to train professional boxers such as Danilo Haussler (2001 European super middleweight champion), Timo Hoffmann, Kai Kurzawa, Enad Licina, and Artur Hein.
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The loss of Manfred Wolke is also felt beyond the boxing community in Frankfurt/Oder, Germany. His impact as a coach extended beyond Berlin, influencing boxers across the country. Manfred Wolke's coaching legacy extends to subsequent generations, with his trainees like Danilo Haussler achieving European titles. Berlin and Frankfurt/Oder both share a connection with Wolke, with the latter being his hometown and the former benefitting from his coaching expertise.
