Rainer Klaeren, chairman of the city sports association, presented runner-up world champion Mohamed Al Manouchi with a certificate from the city of Düsseldorf Photo: Manfred Fammler
By Manfred Fammler
It was shortly after 7 p.m. when Mohamed Al Manouchi’s week-long journey to the Olympus of boxing ended. Over 50 training partners had previously loudly celebrated the return of the U19 vice world champion to the home hall of TuS Gerresheim.
While interest in reports about the World Cup was already high, it was only surpassed by curiosity about the silver medal. This was still adorning the neck of the actual winner when he returned home to the training hall; But then it was passed from hand to hand and caused many young athletes to light up their eyes. Everyone wanted to see or touch the medal. And perhaps this gave some people the desire to take part in a major title competition themselves. “To achieve that, it takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice,” said Steffen Müller, home trainer at TuS Gerresheim, praising his most successful protégé in the presence of Rainer Klaeren, chairman of the city sports association, who unexpectedly stopped by on Heyestrasse. He presented the young talent with a certificate on behalf of the city sports association. “We are very happy to have such great sporting talent in Düsseldorf.” And the athlete himself? “I imagined the result to be a little different,” said Al Manouchi. His American opponent was simply better on the final day.
While three more boxers from TuS Gerresheim are taking part in the German championships at the weekend and are striving for the title, Al Manouchi should relax and train easily over the next few weeks, just “what you enjoy,” according to the plan of his trainer Steffen Müller. who repeatedly praised the strong character of his protégé. “This is the only way you can really knock on the top.”
And what’s next for the boxing talent privately? “Tomorrow morning I have to concentrate on school again and catch up on a few things,” said the 17-year-old, who seemed tired from the trip. The normal everyday life of a runner-up world champion.
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