Franz SCHMITT

Greco-Roman lightweight wrestler burst onto the scene at the 1958 Budapest World Championships, finishing sixth. He then failed to qualify for the 1960 Roma Olympics, but was more successful in 1964, defeating East German Eckard Schulz in the inter-national qualifications in three very close matches. Schmitt then finished ninth in Tokyo, later placing fifth at both the 1966 and 1967 Europeans. In West Germany Schmitt won seven national championships.

Schmitt was trained a tool maker, but became a longtime coach for the regional Wrestling Association of Hessia. Among others he mentored Rifat Yildiz, his brother Fuat, and Gerhard Himmel to top-rank world athletes. At the 1972 München Olympics Schmitt was responsible for the coordination of training sessions for all participating countries.