(SEPT 8) Amateur boxers from all over Germany met for the 4th International German Championship at the village of Herrischried in beautiful Schwarzwald. The championships were held from the 31st August to 2nd September. 17 Juniors, and 56 women signed up for the championships, in which resulted in 54 bouts before the new 2006 champions could be celebrated. The junior boxers competed in 6 weight divisions while the women’s competition was fought in 10 division ranging from 48 kg (105 lbs) to 80 kg (176 lbs).

Five of last year’s champions were able to defend their titles, which included, Pinar Yilmaz (Junior) 60 kg, Asiye Sahin - 48 kg, Fener Ay – 50 kg, Elena Walentzik – 54 kg, Sonja Dürr – 57 kg. Most remarkable was Sonja Dürr’s 4th German title, which confirms her status as the most prominent female amateur boxer in Germany.

Another five 2005 champions competed, but had to settle for medals. However, three of those competed as juniors last year, and had moved up to the women’s competition this year.

The number of entries has risen every year since the first championships were held in 2003. I am pleased to report, that not only the quantity is on the rise, but also the quality of the competition. I attended the 2004 championships, and was thrilled to see the improvement in many of the boxers I watched in the ring 2 years ago. The addition of new, talented boxer made the 3 days in Schwarzwald a very enjoyable experience.

GBU Junior Bantamweight World Champion Alesia Graf added some extra glamour to Saturday’s finals. She travelled to Herrischried to attend the finals and sign autographs for the boxing fans, only a week before defending her title against Maria Jose Nunez Anchorena.

The full results of the championships can be found here: http://www.boxverband.de/Ergebnisse%204.%20Frauen.htm