Nikolai Stepulov

Nikolai Stepulov, born on March 20, 1913, was a notable Estonian lightweight boxer who made his mark in the world of sports during the late 1930s. He achieved remarkable success, winning silver medals at both the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and the 1937 European Championships. His professional boxing career spanned from 1938 to 1939, showcasing his talent and determination in the ring.

However, Stepulov's life took a tumultuous turn during World War II. Following the Soviet invasion of Estonia in 1940, he became involved with the people's self-defence (RO), a controversial collaboration that would define his later years. As an ethnic Russian, his actions during this period were complex and fraught with the challenges of a war-torn nation.

After the war, Stepulov returned to Soviet-controlled Estonia, where he faced legal troubles. He was arrested multiple times for burglary, reflecting a stark contrast to his earlier achievements in boxing. His life came to a tragic end in a Soviet prison hospital, marking a poignant conclusion to a life filled with both athletic glory and personal strife.