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Svend Karlsen "The Viking"

Compare to Another Athlete
Years Active 1996 - 2006
Born October 6, 1967
Height 1.88m
Weight 150kg
Birthplace Drammen, Norway
Country 🇳🇴 Norway
Retired Wikipedia

Svend Karlsen is a strongman from Norway who stands 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) tall and competes at 150 kg (331 lb), born October 6, 1967 (age 59).

Last 5 Contests

  1. 2 2005 IFSA World Open Aug 20, 2005
  2. 16 2005 IFSA Strongman World Championships Sep 24, 2005
  3. 1 2006 Norway's Strongest Man May 20, 2006
  4. 9 2006 WSMC Northern Ireland May 27, 2006
  5. 11 2006 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Jun 1, 2006

1 win and 2 podiums in the last 5. Most recent: 11th at 2006 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, Jun 1, 2006.

Competition Statistics

70 Total Contests
12 Total Wins
1996 - 2006 Years Active

International

67 Contests
9 Wins

National

3 Contests
3 Wins

World's Strongest Man

8 Appearances
7 Finals
1 Wins
#1 Best Finish

Strengths & Weaknesses

Svend Karlsen is strongest at Yoke: an average placing of 2.8 across 16 outings, with 9 wins. Weakest at Grip (6.3 across 28).

  • Yoke 2.8 16 outings 9 wins
  • Tire Flip 3.7 18 outings 4 wins
  • Squat 3.6 9 outings 5 wins
  • Carry 4.5 80 outings 4 wins
  • Medley 4.2 17 outings 4 wins
  • Throwing 4.3 12 outings 3 wins
  • Atlas Stones 4.7 35 outings 8 wins
  • Overhead Press 4.9 44 outings 7 wins
  • Farmer's Walk 4.9 26 outings 3 wins
  • Deadlift 5.1 24 outings 3 wins
  • Loading Race 5.0 7 outings 1 win
  • Vehicle Pull 5.5 21 outings 2 wins
  • Grip 6.3 28 outings 1 win

Average finishing position in each event type, across every contest we hold results for. Lower is better. Ordering weighs how often an event has been contested, so a strong average from a handful of outings does not outrank a long record. That is why an event higher up the list can show a slightly worse average than one below it. Event types with fewer than 4 recorded outings are not shown.

Powerlifting Records

325.0kg Best Squat
180.0kg Best Bench
332.5kg Best Deadlift
837.5kg Best Total
2 meets Single-ply EPF Last: Sep 1989

Data from OpenPowerlifting.org (CC0)

Career Bests

Career Trajectory

Contest placements by year - lower is better

Career trajectory chart
Best Placement Avg Placement Contests
Date Contest Name Type Division Location Placing Points
Jun 1, 2006 2006 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Uncasville, Connecticut, United States #11 11.50
May 27, 2006 2006 WSMC Northern Ireland World Strongman Cup Federation M Armagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom #9 31.50
May 20, 2006 2006 Norway's Strongest Man Norway's Strongest Man M Gol, Norway, Norway #1 54.50
Sep 24, 2005 2005 IFSA Strongman World Championships IFSA Strongman World Championships M Quebec City, Canada, Canada #16 14.00
Aug 20, 2005 2005 IFSA World Open IFSA Grand Prix M São Paulo, Brazil, Brazil #2 89.00
Aug 6, 2005 2005 IFSA Nordic Championships IFSA Grand Prix M Kristiansand, Norway, Norway #1 57.50
Jul 16, 2005 2005 IFSA European Championships IFSA Grand Prix M Riga, Latvia, Latvia #7 76.50
Jun 6, 2005 2005 IFSA Russia Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Moscow, Russia, Russia #5 57.50
May 21, 2005 2005 Norway's Strongest Man Norway's Strongest Man M Kristiansand, Norway, Norway #1 36.00
Mar 4, 2005 2005 Arnold's Strongest Man Arnold Strongman Classic M Columbus, Ohio, United States #6 33.50
Dec 5, 2004 2004 Sweden Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Gothenburg, Sweden, Sweden #3 43.50
Oct 3, 2004 2004 WSM Qualifying Round Open M - #6 48.00
Sep 23, 2004 2004 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Nassau, Bahamas, Bahamas #5 9.00
Jul 24, 2004 2004 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M Jelenia Góra, Poland, Poland #5 47.50
Jul 11, 2004 2004 Moscow Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Moscow, Russia, Russia #5 62.00
Jun 13, 2004 2004 Holland Champions Trophy IFSA Grand Prix M Doetinchem, Netherlands, Netherlands #2 54.00
May 22, 2004 2004 Turkey Champions Trophy IFSA Grand Prix M - #3 44.00
Mar 5, 2004 2004 Arnold's Strongest Man Arnold Strongman Classic M Columbus, Ohio, United States #2 39.50
Nov 7, 2003 2003 X-Treme Strongman Championships X-Treme Strongman Championships M Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia #2 83.50
Sep 20, 2003 2003 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Victoria Falls, Zambia, Zambia #9 28.00
Aug 23, 2003 2003 Strongman World Record Breakers IFSA Grand Prix M Gdynia, Poland, Poland #5 40.00
Aug 16, 2003 2003 Finland Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Imatra, Finland, Finland #4 38.50
Aug 1, 2003 2003 Canada Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M North Bay, Canada, Canada #3 63.00
Jul 26, 2003 2003 Norway's Strongest Man Norway's Strongest Man M Tvedestrand, Norway, Norway #1 0.00
Jul 6, 2003 2003 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M Sandomierz, Poland, Poland #6 27.50
Jun 14, 2003 2003 Holland Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Silvolde, Netherlands, Netherlands #4 51.00
Jun 7, 2003 2003 World Muscle Power Classic World Muscle Power Classic M Dolbeau-Mistassini, Canada, Canada #6 51.50
May 17, 2003 2003 IFSA Finland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Vantaa, Finland, Finland #6 27.00
Feb 28, 2003 2003 Arnold's Strength Summit Arnold Strongman Classic M Columbus, Ohio, United States #2 26.50
Jan 18, 2003 2003 Hawaii Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Honolulu, Hawaii, United States #9 43.00
Jan 17, 2003 2002 Hawaii Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Honolulu, Hawaii, United States #5 57.00
Nov 23, 2002 2002 Sweden Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Stockholm, Sweden, Sweden #2 71.00
Oct 18, 2002 2002 IFSA China Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Panyu, China, China #1 128.50
Sep 15, 2002 2002 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysia #5 39.00
Aug 3, 2002 2002 Invasion of the Giants Invasion of the Giants M Enniscorthy, Ireland, Ireland #2 0.00
Jul 27, 2002 2002 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M Gdynia, Poland, Poland #3 44.00
Jun 16, 2002 2002 World Muscle Power Classic World Muscle Power Classic M Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom #1 65.00
Apr 26, 2002 2002 Atlantic Giant IFSA Grand Prix M Torshavn, Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands #1 0.00
Apr 20, 2002 2002 IFSA Finland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Vantaa, Finland, Finland #2 53.50
Feb 22, 2002 2002 Arnold Strongman Challenge Arnold Strongman Classic M Columbus, Ohio, United States #2 23.00
Feb 16, 2002 2002 Northeast Strongman Showdown Northeast Strongman Showdown M Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States #2 36.00
Oct 27, 2001 2001 Sweden Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Stockholm, Sweden, Sweden #3 59.00
Oct 5, 2001 2001 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Victoria Falls, Zambia, Zambia #1 53.50
Sep 21, 2001 2001 USA vs.The World National Strength Athletics Association M St. Louis, Missouri, United States #1 66.50
Aug 25, 2001 2001 Strongman World Record Breakers IFSA Grand Prix M Kokkola, Finland, Finland #1 33.00
Aug 18, 2001 2001 Czech Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M Prague, Czech Republic, Czech Republic #2 56.00
Jul 28, 2001 2001 Carribean World Strongman Challenge National Strength Athletics Association M Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic #4 106.50
Jul 22, 2001 2001 World Muscle Power Classic World Muscle Power Classic M Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom #2 0.00
Jun 2, 2001 2001 Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast M Honolulu, Hawaii, United States #3 36.00
May 20, 2001 2001 Holland Grand Prix Strongman Super Series M - #3 47.00
Mar 17, 2001 2001 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M Helsinki, Finland, Finland #1 61.50
Mar 10, 2001 2001 IFSA Poland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Sopot, Poland, Poland #3 40.00
Feb 17, 2001 2001 Northeast Strongman Showdown Northeast Strongman Showdown M Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States #1 17.50
Oct 8, 2000 2000 IFSA China Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Panyu, China, China #4 100.50
Sep 16, 2000 2000 IFSA Romania Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Bucharest, Romania, Romania #4 35.50
Sep 2, 2000 2000 IFSA Czech Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Prague, Czech Republic, Czech Republic #2 51.00
Aug 1, 2000 2000 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Sun City, South Africa, South Africa #2 54.00
Jun 25, 2000 2000 IFSA Poland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Sopot, Poland, Poland #6 29.00
Jun 18, 2000 2000 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M Sevenum, Netherlands, Netherlands #6 33.00
May 28, 2000 2000 Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast M Honolulu, Hawaii, United States #2 96.75
Apr 29, 2000 2000 IFSA Ireland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M - #3 40.50
Mar 18, 2000 2000 IFSA Finland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Helsinki, Finland, Finland #3 52.50
Sep 9, 1999 1999 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Valletta, Malta, Malta #3 52.50
Mar 6, 1999 1999 IFSA Finland Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Helsinki, Finland, Finland #13 7.00
Mar 14, 1998 1998 IFSA Helsinki Grand Prix IFSA Grand Prix M Helsinki, Finland, Finland #3 61.00
Oct 2, 1997 1997 WSM Final World's Strongest Man M Primm, Nevada, United States #8 33.00
- 1998 Atlantic Giant IFSA Grand Prix M - #3 38.50
- 1997 Europe's Strongest Man Europe's Strongest Man M - #10 25.50
- 1997 European Hercules European Hercules M - #5 59.00
- 1997 World Strongman Challenge World Strongman Challenge M - #3 0.00
- 1996 World's Strongest Viking IFSA Grand Prix M - #9 39.00

No individual event results available yet.

Event-by-event results are available for select competitions.

Showing - of event results

Event Result Place Contest Date
Page of
Event Value Contest Date Verified
Max. 18-inch Deadlift 272.5 kg 1997 WSM Final Oct 2, 1997 -
Max. Axle Press 170.0 kg 2001 Beauty and the Beast Jun 2, 2001 -
Max. Deadlift 375.0 kg 1999 WSM Final Sep 9, 1999 -
Max. Hummer Tire Deadlift 416.0 kg 2005 Arnold's Strongest Man Mar 4, 2005 -
Max. Log Lift 185.0 kg 2002 Sweden Grand Prix Nov 23, 2002 -

No media found for this athlete.

Personal Details

Full Name
Svend Karlsen
Nickname
"The Viking"
Date of Birth
October 6, 1967
Birthplace
Drammen, Norway
Country
Norway

Physical Stats

Height
1.88m
Weight
150kg
Gender
Male

Career

Years Active
1996 - 2006
Status
Retired
Total Competitions
70
Total Wins
12

Last updated: February 23, 2026

See Also

Norway Athletes Rankings World Records

About Svend Karlsen

Svend Karlsen, known as "The Viking", is a Norwegian strongman athlete. Karlsen stands 188 cm (6'2") and competes at 150 kg (331 lbs). Born in Drammen, Norway, Karlsen is currently 59 years old.

Karlsen's competitive career spanned from 1996 to 2006. Across 70 competitions, Karlsen has claimed 12 wins. Karlsen's international record includes 67 competitions with 9 wins on the world stage.

Read more about Svend Karlsen on Wikipedia.

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