Fridolin Kurmann

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFridolin•Kurmann
Used nameFridolin•Kurmann
Born12 December 1912 in Zürich, Zürich (SUI)
AffiliationsRed Sox, Zürich (SUI)
NOC Switzerland

Biography

Fridolin Kurmann was one of the best defenders in Swiss field hockey during the three decades in which he was active, having began the sport early in his youth. A member of the Red Sox Hockey Club in Zürich, Kurmann played in a total of 45 international matches for the Swiss national team between 1930 and 1950s, and served as its captain. He also won several national championships with his club team. Kurmann’s international career was highlighted with three trips to the Olympic Games in 1936, 1948 and 1952 with the best result coming at London in 1948, where the Swiss team finished fifth. He continued to play until the 1960s, when he was over 50-years-old.

Kurmann holds the Swiss record with three consecutive Olympic participations in field hockey, along with fellow clubmate Hans Gruner, who also was selected in those same years. Outside of the world of sport, he served for many years as a city policeman in Zürich, following his father Jakob, who was a sergeant major in the police. Kurmann was born and raised in Zürich, where he attended primary schooling and apprenticed as a vehicle upholsterer. He was married to Berta Ruf in 1939, and died sometime between 1997 and 2009.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Hockey SUI Fridolin Kurmann
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Switzerland =10
1948 Summer Olympics Hockey SUI Fridolin Kurmann
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Switzerland =5
1952 Summer Olympics Hockey SUI Fridolin Kurmann
Hockey, Men (Olympic) Switzerland =9