World War II delayed Emil Knecht’s debut on the international rowing scene, but he nonetheless found success at the 1947 European Championships, which were the first held after the conflict. He captured bronze in the eights at this tournament, alongsideRudolf Reichling,Peter Stebler,Erich Schriever, and the non-Olympians Walter Stapfer, Henri Zoller, Fritz Stapfer, Jakob Knöpfel, and Franco Brentani. His next stop was the 1948 Summer Olympics where, with Reichling, Schriever, Stebler, andAndré Moccand, he took silver in the coxed fours. He then switched to the double sculls and found success by partnering with Stebler, as together they won the European Championships in the event in 1951. The duo was, unfortunately, unable to repeat this victory at the 1952 Summer Olympics, as they were eliminated after the round one repêchage. Knecht retired from active competition shortly after these Games.