Poland’s Janusz Gortat was one of the best European light-heavyweight boxers of the 1970s. After initially being told not to take up boxing by his father Gortat went on to win six national titles and two Olympic medals. As a member of Legia Warszawa he won his first national title in 1973 before winning five more during his career (1974–76, 1978, 1980). Between 1970 and 1976 he boxed 16 times for Poland, winning all but one of his bouts. Gortat fought at four editions of the European Championships during the late 1960s and mid-1970s, winning silver in 1973 after losing to Mate Parlov. He competed at the 1972 München and 1976 Montréal Olympics, winning bronze on each occasion.
Towards the end of his career Gortat fought in the middleweight division at the 1978 World Championships but lost early in the competition. He boxed in 317 bouts during his professional career, winning 272 of them. From 1982 to 1994 Gortat worked as a coach for Legia Warszawa.
Poland