Itze Gunst

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFritz "Itze"•Gunst
Used nameItze•Gunst
Born22 September 1908 in Hannover, Niedersachsen (GER)
Died9 November 1992 in Hannover, Niedersachsen (GER)
AffiliationsWASPO 98 Hannover, Hannover (GER)
NOC Germany
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

Itze Gunst was one of the most successful German water polo players between the two World Wars. At the European Championships he won silver medals in 1931, 1934 and 1938, adding a bronze medal in 1926. He also played for German Champion teams from 1927-36 and 1938.

Gunst lost one leg in World War II and later became landlord of the “Stübchen” pub in Hannover after the war. In 1988 he was invited by the German NOC to the Seoul Olympics as the oldest living German Olympic Champion and in 1990 Gunst was inducted into the International Hall of Fame of Swimming.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Water Polo (Aquatics) GER Itze Gunst
Water Polo, Men (Olympic) Germany 1 Gold
1932 Summer Olympics Water Polo (Aquatics) GER Itze Gunst
Water Polo, Men (Olympic) Germany 2 Silver
1936 Summer Olympics Water Polo (Aquatics) GER Itze Gunst
Water Polo, Men (Olympic) Germany 2 Silver

Special Notes