Gottfrid Svensson joined Östermalms AK in 1907 and switched to the bigger club Djurgårdens IF in 1911. In the same year, he represented Djurgården at the first wrestling gala in Stockholm’s Circus on 28 February and placed fifth in the 1911 World Championship in the Greco-Roman 67.0 kg division. In the unofficial 1913 European Championships Svensson moved up to second place in the 67.5 kg division. After being eliminated in early Olympic rounds in the 1912 lightweight and 1920 featherweight events, both in the Greco-Roman style, he was silver medalist in the 1920 Olympic freestyle lightweight class. Domestically, Svensson was a seven-time national champion. Following his active career, he became a wrestling official and led the Swedish team at the 1924 Olympics.