Weighing the same 135 kg as when he won the 2001 World's Strongest Man title, Svend Karlsen told IronMind® that he feels great, is in good overall shape, has no injuries, and is already looking forward to the 2006 Norway's Strongest Man contest.


Svend Karlsen reps out on the Apollon Axle™ deadlift at the 2003 Super Series (Honolulu, Hawaii). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Currently, Karlsen told IronMind®, he is not doing any event training, but he is lifting four times a week and doing cardio work three times a week. To give you an idea of just how light his training is at the moment. Karlsen, who has squatted somewhere north of 350 kg, said that he is doing reps with 180 kg right now - very light, allowing his body to heal and get ready for the 2006 season.

"I hope next year all strongmen of the world will be united," Karlsen said, "with nobody claiming the right to own strongman. I hope everybody will join together." Things such as coordinating the competition schedule, not dictatorial control, should be the focus of a strongman organization said Karlsen, explaining the direction he would like to see the sport go next year.

Scheduled for May, the 2006 Norway's Strongest Man contest is going to be big, Karlsen said, with TV time already set and plans in the works to make this a terrific competition in the land of Viking Power.