Heinfried Birlenbach is a retired West German

West Germany

West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

 shot put

Shot put

The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....

ter.

He finished fifth at the 1966 European Championships

1966 European Championships in Athletics

The 8th European Athletics Championships were held from 30 August to 4 September 1966 in the Nép Stadium in Budapest, Hungary.-Men's results:-Women's results:-Medal table:- References :* *...

, eighth at the 1968 Summer Olympics

1968 Summer Olympics

The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...

 and seventh at the 1972 Summer Olympics

1972 Summer Olympics

The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....

, the latter in a career best throw of 20.37 metres. This places him 26th on the German all-time list.

He also won the 1968

1968 European Indoor Games

The 3rd European Indoor Games were held in 1968 at Palacio de Deportes, Madrid, the capital of Spain.-Track:-Field:-Medal table:-External links:* at GBRathletics.com* at GBRathletics.com...

 and 1969 European Indoor Games

1969 European Indoor Games

The 4th European Indoor Games were held in 1969 in Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia. In 1970 the European Indoor Games were replaced by the European Athletics Indoor Championships.-Track:-Field:-Medal table:-External links:* at GBRathletics.com...

, the latter in a new championship record of 19.51 metres. He became German champion six times in a row, from 1966 to 1971.

He competed for the sports club Sportfreunde Siegen

Sportfreunde Siegen

Sportfreunde Siegen is a German association football club based in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1899 as the football department of the gymnastics club Turn Verein Jahn von 1879 Siegen...

during his active career.