Birger Asplund

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKarl Birger•Asplund
Used nameBirger•Asplund
Born21 July 1929 in Anjan, Åre, Jämtland (SWE)
Died1 July 2023 in Ås, Krokom, Jämtland (SWE)
Measurements178 cm / 86 kg
AffiliationsIF Castor, Östersund (SWE)
NOC Sweden

Biography

After taking bronze in 1952 and silver in 1953, Birger Asplund won his first Swedish national title in the hammer throw in 1954 and did not relinquish it until 1969, when he came runner-up to Sune Blomqvist. Internationally, he represented his country at three editions of the Olympics; in 1956 he reached the final but failed to set a mark, while in 1960 and 1964 he was eliminated in the first round. He also took part in the 1954, 1958, and 1962 World Championships, placing 16th and sixth in the first two editions, and being eliminated in the qualification round in 1962. He was the Nordic champion in 1961 and 1963 and also competed at the tournament in 1965. He held the national record in his event from 1955 through 1971, improving it 17 times, from 57.19 to 66.37 metres. He began competing in masters’-level tournaments in 1970, setting a world record that year in the M40 category.

Personal Best: HT – 66.37 (1964).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Birger Asplund
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) AC r2/2
1960 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Birger Asplund
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) =24 r1/2
1964 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Birger Asplund
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 21 r1/2