Hjördis was born in Göteborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden on 4 January 1904[4] to parents Viktor Emanuel, a typographer and book printer, and Matilda Josefina Töpel.

Hjördis Töpel, a notable Swedish athlete, was a member of Gothenburg's SK Najaden sports club, which was established in 1917.

During the lead-up to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Sweden held qualifying competitions in Stockholm that also doubled as national championships.

She also contributed to Sweden’s bronze medal victory in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay, alongside Aina Berg, Wivan Pettersson, and Gulli Ewerlund.

At the 1923 Swedish Games in Gothenburg, Töpel won both the 100-meter and 300-meter freestyle events and led her team to victory in the 4x100-meter relay with a decisive final leg.

Her competitive streak extended well into the 1930s, with a regional championship diving title in 1935 and a team win in the 4x100 meter relay in 1936 with SK Najaden.