Thomas Munkelt

Thomas Munkelt was a classic high hurdler who dominated European hurdling in the 1970s and early 1980s. Munkelt came onto the international athletics scene in 1975 when he won his first of nine East German national championship titles and the European Cup in the 110 hurdles. Although he finished a disappointing fifth at the 1976 Summer Olympics, he won both the World Cup and European Cup in 1977. His first international championships title came at the 1978 European Championships. Munkelt's career highlight was the Moscow Olympics, where he beat second-placed Alejandro Casañas from Cuba by a mere 0.01 seconds. He was also a member of the fifth-placed 4x100 relay team. He defended his title successfully at the 1982 European Championships and won silver as a member of the 4x100 team. Munklet again won the European Cup in the 1983, but finished only fifth at the first World Championships. Domestically Munkelt won the East German 110 m hurdles titles in 1975-80 and 1982-84 and indoor 60 m hurdles titles in 1974, 1976-81, and 1983-84. After hearing the East German government's decision to boycott the 1984 Summer Olympics, Munkelt retired from athletics and became a dentist in Kitzscher near Leipzig.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.37 (1980); 110H – 13.37 (1977).