 In 1954, they became European silver medalists and went on to win their first World medal, bronze, at the 1954 World Championships.They followed it up with silver at the 1955 World Championships, finishing as close runners-up to Canada's Frances Dafoe / Norris Bowden, who took their second World title.After winning the Austrian national title for the fifth consecutive year, Schwarz/Oppelt became the 1956 European champions.