Hermann von Bönninghausen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHermann Julius August•von Bönninghausen
Used nameHermann•von Bönninghausen
Nick/petnamesMenzi, Ajax
Born24 July 1888 in Bocholt, Nordrhein-Westfalen (GER)
Died26 January 1919 in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen (GER)
Measurements185 cm / 78 kg
AffiliationsSportclub Preußen Duisburg/Turnverein Münchener Sportclub 1860
NOC Germany

Biography

German athlete Hermann von Bönninghausen started his sports career mostly running under the pseudonym “Ajax”. He competed in the 1908 London and the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. In London he did not get beyond the heats of the 100 metres but also competed in the long jump with an unknown result. In Stockholm he reached the semifinals of the 110 hurdles.

In his youth von Bönninghausen played soccer in Duisburg, Bocholt and München. In 1907 he bettered the German long jump record twice to 6.56 and 6.80, and in 1911 improved the German 110 hurdles record to 16.4. By profession, von Bönninghausen was a medical doctor.

During World War I, von Bönninghausen served as a surgeon with the 5th Lancers and 7th Infantry Regiment. He was shot in the face near the end of the war, but continued to tend to his patients. He died at home in Düsseldorf shortly after World War I, when only 30, from the effects of his war wounds. He is considered the last Olympian to have died as a result of World War I.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.1 (1907); 110H – 15.9 (1912); LJ – unknown.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics GER Hermann von Bönninghausen
100 metres, Men (Olympic) 5 h14 r1/3
200 metres, Men (Olympic) DNS
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) AC
Standing Long Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
1912 Summer Olympics Athletics GER Hermann von Bönninghausen
110 metres Hurdles, Men (Olympic) 2 h3 r2/3
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS

Special Notes