His nickname is "Weisser Blitz" which means "White Flash" because he was the only white man who could keep up with the black runners at that time. His best time in the 100 meters was 10.2 seconds, equalling the world record held by Jesse Owens and a number of other sprinters. He ran the race in Japan 1954.
His best in the 200 meter was 20.8 seconds.
He was part of the German world record 4 x 100m relay of 1958.