Manfred Nerlinger

West German super heavyweight lifter Manfred Nerlinger participated in four consecutive Olympics: 1984 at Los Angeles, 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, and 1996 at Atlanta. He won bronze medals in 1984 and 1992, and a silver in 1988. In 1996, he finished sixth. Nerlinger also won two gold medals, at the 1986 and 1993 World Championships, and eight silver medals in 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1993. In addition he won five bronze medals in 1984-85 and 1987. At the European Championships, he won gold in 1993, silvers in 1990-91 and 1995, and bronze in 1988.

From 1982-86 and 1988-89, Nerlinger won 21 national titles in the super-heavyweight class. He was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award, in 1993. Nerlinger trained as a car mechanic, was a professional soldier from 1980-99, and also graduated as a sports coach. From 2000-07 he coached the German Youth National Team. He owned a shop for weightlifting and power sports goods In München.