Harry Valfrid Siljander (10 December 1922 – 5 May 2010) was a Finnish light-heavyweight boxer who competed in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. In 1948 he lost in a quarterfinal to the eventual champion George Hunter, and placed fifth. Four years later he reached a semifinal, where he again lost to the eventual winner, Norvel Lee; yet he earned a bronze medal.[1]

Harry Siljander
Personal information
NationalityFinnish
Born10 December 1922
Helsinki, Finland
Died5 May 2010 (aged 87)
Espoo, Finland
Height176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight75–84 kg (165–185 lb)
Sport
SportBoxing
Weight classLight heavyweight
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1952 Helsinki Light-heavyweight

Siljander first trained in speed skating and swimming; he changed to boxing in 1940 while serving in the Finnish Army. In 1943 he won the Army Championships and in 1946 placed second at the national championships. In 1947 he moved from middleweight to light-heavyweight and won five Finnish titles in 1947–50 and 1952. He retired in 1952 and later worked as a butcher in Helsinki until 1986. In 2005 he was inducted into the Finnish Boxing Hall of Fame.[1][2]

1952 Olympic results

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Below are the results of Harry (Harri) Siljander who competed in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki as a light heavyweight boxer:

  • Round of 32: bye
  • Round of 16: defeated Dumitru Ciobotaru (Romania) by a 2-1 decision.
  • Quarterfinal: defeated Karl Kistner (Germany) by a 2-1 decision
  • Semifinal: lost to Norvel Lee (United States) by a 0-3 decision; was awarded a bronze medal

References

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  1. ^ a b Harry Siljander Sports Reference.com
  2. ^ Nenonen, Säde (30 May 2010). "Olympianyrkkeilijä elätti perheensä lihakauppiaana" [Olympic boxer supported his family by working as a butcher]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). p. C7.