Heinfried Birlenbach

Heinfried Birlenbach started at the 1964 Olympics for the combined German team (failed in the qualification) and in 1968 (8th) and 1972 (7th) for the West German team in shot put. He placed fifth at the 1966 European Championships; and was nominated in 1969, but could not start due to the West German boycott, and in 1971 he had to withdraw due to an injury. Birlenbach won the 1968 and 1969 European Indoor Games. In 1966-71 he won six consecutive West German titles, and was runner-up in 1963-65 and 1972. He also set two European records indoor and outdoor in 1968. Besides the shot put he was also an avid discus thrower and weightlifter.

Professionally he was an educated draftsman, then gas station attendant, petrol station owner, owner of a sauna company, and eventually became an insurance businessman.

Personal Best: SP – 20.37 (1972).