Between 1956 and 1972 he took part in five Olympics and six world championships, often entering both the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling contests – a feat unmatched by any other wrestler. Dietrich lost to Taylor in their freestyle bout. In 2008 he was inducted into the Germany"s Sports Hall of Fame.
He won five Olympic and five world championship medals, becoming Olympic (1960), world (1961) and European champion (1967). Between 1955 and 1962 he won all his freestyle bouts. Dietrich did not win a medal at his last Olympics in 1972. Yet he produced his most spectacular win by throwing over his back the 198 kg American Chris Taylor in the Greco-Roman contest.
