Peter Neusel rowed with Berliner RC and started his career with the eights, winning the 1961 West German Championships and a silver medal at the Europeans. The next year he moved to the coxed fours, winning his second national title and also winning at the World Championships in Luzern. In 1963, Neusel won his third national title and the European Championships. In 1964, he added his last national title, a silver medal at the Europeans, and won the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics within the mixed German team. The crew was then elected Team of the Year in West Germany.
His father was professional heavyweight boxer Walter Neusel, nicknamed “The Blonde Tiger,” who died in 1964 when his son had just arrived at Tokyo. Peter Neusel competed at the Tokyo Olympics and did not travel back for his father’s funeral in accordance with his family’s wishes. While studying economics Neusel took over his father’s pub in Charlottenburg.
Germany
West Germany