About Yakov Springer
Lived 1921 – 1972 (aged 51). Yakov Springer was an Israeli weightlifter and olympic competitor.
Yakov Springer (; 10 June 1921 – 6 September 1972) was a wrestler and a weightlifting coach and judge but is best known as one of the victims of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
During the Holocaust, Springer took part in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The Polish-born Springer was murdered with 10 other men who were representing Israel in the Olympics in Munich. They were murdered by Palestinian terrorists, from the PLO Black September group. The Palestinians took the 11 Israelis as hostages and asked for the release of 236 Palestinian prisoners in Israel and Germany. After the hostages and Black September group members arrived at the airport, the German police attacked in an attempt to rescue them. The group members killed the Israelis with guns and with grenades.
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Important facts
People in Yakov Springer's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Yakov Springer?
Munich Massacre victim (1921–1972)
When was Yakov Springer born?
Yakov Springer was born on 10 June 1921 in Kalisz.
When did Yakov Springer die?
Yakov Springer died on 6 September 1972 in Fürstenfeldbruck.
What was Yakov Springer's occupation?
Yakov Springer was a weightlifter and olympic competitor.
What nationality was Yakov Springer?
Yakov Springer was Israeli.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Yakov Springer. https://biography.guide/yakov-springer/
MLA: "Yakov Springer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/yakov-springer/.
Chicago: "Yakov Springer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/yakov-springer/.
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