Heinfried Birlenbach

{{Short description|German shot putter (1940–2020)}}

Heinfried Birlenbach (May 24, 1940 – November 11, 2020)[https://www.siegener-zeitung.de/siegen/c-sport/trauer-um-kugelstosser-heinfried-birlenbach_a217177 Heinfried Birlenbach's obituary] {{in lang|de}} was a West German shot putter. He was born in Siegen.

Birlenbach finished fifth at the 1966 European Championships,[http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/stats_athletics/european/1966_m.asp 1966 European Championships, men's results] - Sporting Heroes eighth at the 1968 Summer Olympics[http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/stats_athletics/olympics/1968_m.asp 1968 Summer Olympics, men's results] - Sporting Heroes and seventh at the 1972 Summer Olympics, the latter in a career best throw of 20.37 metres. This places him 26th on the German all-time list.[http://www.ladgld.de/debl/HKUGEL.TXT German all-time list, men's shot put] He also won the 1968 and 1969 European Indoor Games, the latter in a new championship record of 19.51 metres.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/ei.htm European Indoor Championships (Men)] - GBR Athletics He became German champion six consecutive seasons: 1966 - 1971.[http://www.sport-komplett.de/sport-komplett/sportarten/l/leichtathletik/hst/103.html German championships - men's shot put] He competed for the sports club Sportfreunde Siegen during his active career.