Torfi Ólafsson
Encyclopedia
Torfi Olafsson(born April 13 1965) is a former Icelandic
strongman
competitor and junior world champion powerlifter. He was one of the biggest competitors from Iceland to compete at the World's Strongest Man
, standing 6'7 and weighing 418lbs.
Like a number of his compatriots he turned to strength athletics
and on the strongman circuit was very successful. He won Iceland's Strongest Man in 1997 and 1999 and was placed third in the prestigious World Muscle Power Championships in 1996. Of the five World's Strongest Man
contests he entered, his highest place was fourth in 1997. He was also a keen Highland Games competitor.
Outside of sport Torfi worked in Iceland with the mentally handicapped is married with four children and a dog. His daughter Kristin Helga Torfadottir is a powerlifter of growing reputation.
Icelanders
Icelanders are a Scandinavian ethnic group and a nation, native to Iceland.On 17 June 1944, when an Icelandic republic was founded the Icelanders became independent from the Danish monarchy. The language spoken is Icelandic, a North Germanic language, and Lutheranism is the predominant religion...
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...
competitor and junior world champion powerlifter. He was one of the biggest competitors from Iceland to compete at the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
, standing 6'7 and weighing 418lbs.
Biography
Torfi's was born in 1965. His father was in the road construction industry and Torfi began working for him as early as seven years old. He spent his summers helping his father until he was seventeen. He became the Icelandic powerlifting champion and at the age of 20 won the IPF Junior World Powerlifting Championship. He repeated this feat the following year. As a senior he placed ninth a number of years later. He also won the EPF Junior European crown.Like a number of his compatriots he turned to strength athletics
Strength athletics
Strength athletics, more generally known as strongman competitions, is a sport which tests competitors' strength in a variety of different ways. Some of the disciplines are similar to those in powerlifting and some powerlifters have also successfully competed in strongman competitions...
and on the strongman circuit was very successful. He won Iceland's Strongest Man in 1997 and 1999 and was placed third in the prestigious World Muscle Power Championships in 1996. Of the five World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
contests he entered, his highest place was fourth in 1997. He was also a keen Highland Games competitor.
Outside of sport Torfi worked in Iceland with the mentally handicapped is married with four children and a dog. His daughter Kristin Helga Torfadottir is a powerlifter of growing reputation.