Svend Karlsen
Encyclopedia
Svend Karlsen (born October 6, 1967) is a former Norwegian
strongman
, powerlifter, and IFBB
professional bodybuilder.
an records, and 1 world record. Soon after, Svend began pursuing a career in bodybuilding
. He traveled on the road doing posing exhibitions with some bodybuilding friends to help pay the bills. Svend won the Mr. Norway title, and took second place at the World Games
. This victory earned him his IFBB
pro card and he could now compete as a professional. Svend moved to California
to focus on his bodybuilding career, and his first pro show was the IFBB Night of Champions
. Svend suffered a severe muscle tear that forced him to retire from bodybuilding, and in 1996 he quickly moved on to strongman
competitions.
qualifying heats and narrowly missed qualifying for the finals. In the 1997 World's Strongest Man
contest, Svend qualified for his first of 7 consecutive finals from 1997, 1999-2004(did not compete in 1998). Svend was leading the finals on points, but during the warm-up for the squat
event, he tore his hamstring
and had to withdraw from the rest of the contest. Svend returned in 1999
, finishing in third place, and finished in second place in 2000
. Svend finally became victorious at the 2001 World's Strongest Man
competition in Victoria Falls
, Zambia
.
Some of Svend's other notable strongman titles include Europe's Strongest Man
2001, 3 time runner-up at the Arnold Strongman Classic
2002-04, World Muscle Power Championships 2001 winner, and 3 time Norway's Strongest Man
in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Svend was the second athlete inducted into the World's Strongest Man Hall of Fame in 2010 as voted by the fans. He has a larger than life personality, and is known for shouting his catchphrase "Viking Power".
coverage of the 2007 World's Strongest Man
contest. Svend is the event organizer for the Norway's Strongest Man
competition, introducing events and interviewing participants. Svend was a co-commentator for the final event at the 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic
. Svend also runs the Viking Power Challenge event in Norway, which is part of the Giants Live
tour for qualification into the World's Strongest Man event.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
, powerlifter, and IFBB
IFBB
IFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
professional bodybuilder.
Powerlifting/Bodybuilding
Svend started out as a powerlifter in 1986, winning a number of titles and setting 30 Norwegian records, 3 EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an records, and 1 world record. Soon after, Svend began pursuing a career in bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
. He traveled on the road doing posing exhibitions with some bodybuilding friends to help pay the bills. Svend won the Mr. Norway title, and took second place at the World Games
World Games
The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports, or disciplines or events within a sport, that are not contested in the Olympic Games...
. This victory earned him his IFBB
IFBB
IFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
pro card and he could now compete as a professional. Svend moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to focus on his bodybuilding career, and his first pro show was the IFBB Night of Champions
Night of Champions
Night of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
. Svend suffered a severe muscle tear that forced him to retire from bodybuilding, and in 1996 he quickly moved on to strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitions.
Strongman career
Svend competed in one of the 1996 World's Strongest Man1996 World's Strongest Man
The 1996 World's Strongest Man was the 19th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland. This was Magnus' fourth WSM title, tying the record of fellow Icelander Jon Pall Sigmarsson. Riku Kiri from Finland finished second, and Gerrit Badenhorst from South Africa...
qualifying heats and narrowly missed qualifying for the finals. In the 1997 World's Strongest Man
1997 World's Strongest Man
The 1997 World's Strongest Man was the 20th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Jouko Ahola from Finland. It was his first title. Flemming Rasmussen from Denmark finished second after finishing fourth the previous year, and Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden finished third...
contest, Svend qualified for his first of 7 consecutive finals from 1997, 1999-2004(did not compete in 1998). Svend was leading the finals on points, but during the warm-up for the squat
Squat
The word squat, squatter or squatting can refer to:* Squatting, living in an abandoned or unused building, sometimes for political purposes...
event, he tore his hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
and had to withdraw from the rest of the contest. Svend returned in 1999
1999 World's Strongest Man
The 1999 World's Strongest Man was the 22nd edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Jouko Ahola from Finland. It was his second title after finishing second the previous year. Janne Virtanen also from Finland finished second, and Svend Karlsen from Norway finished third. The contest was...
, finishing in third place, and finished in second place in 2000
2000 World's Strongest Man
The 2000 World's Strongest Man was the 23rd edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Janne Virtanen from Finland. It was his first title after finishing second the previous year. Svend Karlsen from Norway finished second after finishing third the previous year, and 1998 winner Magnus...
. Svend finally became victorious at the 2001 World's Strongest Man
2001 World's Strongest Man
The 2001 World's Strongest Man was the 24th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Svend Karlsen from Norway. It was his first title after finishing second the previous year. 1998 winner Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden finished second after finishing third the previous year, and 2000 winner...
competition in Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.-Introduction:...
, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
.
Some of Svend's other notable strongman titles include Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
2001, 3 time runner-up at the Arnold Strongman Classic
Arnold Strongman Classic
The Arnold Strongman Classic is one of the highest profile events featuring strength athletes in the world. Created by Dr. Terry Todd, it is an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival which takes place annually in Columbus, Ohio, USA.-History:...
2002-04, World Muscle Power Championships 2001 winner, and 3 time Norway's Strongest Man
Norway's Strongest Man
Norway's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in Norway. The event was established in 1998. Kurt Kvikkstad won in 1998 & 1999, with Roy Holte winning the next 3 years. Svend Karlsen took the 2003, 2005, and 2006 titles. Arild Haugen won in 2007 & 2008. Richard Skog won in 2009 &...
in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Svend was the second athlete inducted into the World's Strongest Man Hall of Fame in 2010 as voted by the fans. He has a larger than life personality, and is known for shouting his catchphrase "Viking Power".
Retirement
Svend retired from competition in 2006, and began serving as a presenter of the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
coverage of the 2007 World's Strongest Man
2007 World's Strongest Man
The 2007 World's Strongest Man was the 30th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Mariusz Pudzianowski from Poland. It was his fourth title. Sebastian Wenta also from the Poland finished second after finishing sixth the previous year, and Terry Hollands from the United Kingdom finished...
contest. Svend is the event organizer for the Norway's Strongest Man
Norway's Strongest Man
Norway's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in Norway. The event was established in 1998. Kurt Kvikkstad won in 1998 & 1999, with Roy Holte winning the next 3 years. Svend Karlsen took the 2003, 2005, and 2006 titles. Arild Haugen won in 2007 & 2008. Richard Skog won in 2009 &...
competition, introducing events and interviewing participants. Svend was a co-commentator for the final event at the 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic
Arnold Strongman Classic
The Arnold Strongman Classic is one of the highest profile events featuring strength athletes in the world. Created by Dr. Terry Todd, it is an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival which takes place annually in Columbus, Ohio, USA.-History:...
. Svend also runs the Viking Power Challenge event in Norway, which is part of the Giants Live
Giants Live
Giants Live or The Giants Live Grand Prix Competition Series was created in 2009 as the official World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Tour taking over from the Strongman Super Series...
tour for qualification into the World's Strongest Man event.
Other Competitions
- Strongest Man in the North 1996 - 5
- World Series Strongman Challenge 1997 - 3
- European Hercules 1997 - 4
- Helsinki Grand Prix 1998 - 2
- Atlantic Giant 1998 - 3
- Helsinki Grand Prix 2000 - 3
- Ireland Grand Prix 2000 - 3
- Beauty & The Beast 2000 - 2
- Prague Grand Prix 2000 - 2
- Romania Grand Prix 2000 - 4
- China Grand Prix 2000 - 4
- Northeast Strongman Showdown 2001 - 1
- Polish Grand Prix 2001 - 3
- Europe's Strongest Man 2001 - 1
- Dutch Grand Prix 2001 - 3
- Beauty & The Beast 2001 - 3
- World Muscle Power 2001 - 2
- Prague Grand Prix 2001 - 2
- World Record Breakers 2001 - 1
- X-treme Strongman Challenge 2001 - 1
- Stockholm Grand Prix - 3
- Northeast Strongman Showdown 2002 - 2
- Arnold Classic strongman Contest 2002Arnold Strongman ClassicThe Arnold Strongman Classic is one of the highest profile events featuring strength athletes in the world. Created by Dr. Terry Todd, it is an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival which takes place annually in Columbus, Ohio, USA.-History:...
- 2 - Vantaa Challenge 2002 - 2
- Atlantic Giants 2002 - 1
- Clash of Titans 2002 - 1
- Clash of the Celtic giants 2002 - 2
- Europe Strongest Man 2002 - 3
- China Grand Prix 2002 - 1
- Sweden Grand Prix Super Series 2002 - 2
- Team World vs. Poland 2002 - 1
- Super Series Final 2002 - 2
- Hawaii Grand Prix Super Series - 9
- Arnold Classic Strongman contest 2003 - 2
- Helsinki Grand Prix 2003 - 6
- World Muscle & Power 2003 - 6
- Holland Grand Prix Super Series 2003 - 5
- Europe Strongest Man 2003 - 6
- Canada Grand Prix Super Series 2003 - 3
- World Team Championship 2003 - 5
- Finland Grand Prix Super Series 2003 - 4
- World Record Breaker 2003 - 5
- Norway Strongest Man 2003 - 1
- MHP X-TREME STRONGMAN Championship 2003 - 2
- Norway Strongest Man 2006 - 1