In 1946 he finished second behind Lennart Strand, both at the national and European Championships.

On 15 July 1947, at the national championships at Malmö, Eriksson and Strand had a very close 1500 m race.

Strand won, equaling the world record at 3:43.0, and Eriksson finished second, setting his all-time personal best at 3:44.4.

Eriksson beat Strand at the 1948 Swedish Championships and at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

He held a world record in the 4 × 1500 m relay, together with three other fireman from his athletics club in Gävle.