Career
He started with weightlifting in 1973. Nerlinger participated in 11 World Championships, winning 3 medals in the snatch, 7 medals in the clean and jerk, 2 of them gold medals, and 5 medals in the combined competition. He also participated in 10 European Championships, winning one medal in the snatch, 6 medals in the clean and jerk, one of them a gold medal, and 5 medals in the combined competition, one of them a gold medal.
In 1993 he lifted a world record clean and jerk with 247.5 kg.
Nerlinger also lifted 37 German records. His personal bests were, before 1993: 197.5 kg snatch, 260.0 kg clean and jerk, 455.0 kg combined.
After weight categories were changed in 1993: 192.5 kg snatch, 247.5 kg clean and jerk, 440.0 kg combined. Since 2000 he works as national youth trainer in the German weightlifting federation (BVDG).
He also runs a shop selling weightlifting products.