December, 2002

KP: Can you give us a little background information?

SK: I'm married to Eun Lene Ekrem-27 years old. I have a son, Svend Alexander 2,5 years old. We live in Kristiansand Norway. I was born on the 06.10.67.in Drammen, Norway. I'm 6'3 tall. 135-155 kg.heavy, Biceps:57-58 cm. Legs:87cm. Calves:52 cm. Chest:152 cm. My mom and dad is average in size if you like to know !

KP: You have quite a diverse background in the strength field. Can you tell us a little about your powerlifting and bodybuilding career before you started competing as a strongman? Where did you compete in powerlifting and what were your records?

SK:I competed in IPF. I did a world record in deadlift, 350 kg.sa a junior. Broke around 25 national records and some European too. (as a junior) Broke 3 national records as a senior. Got my pro card in bodybuilding after taking 2nd place in World Games 1993. Had a pro card in bodybuilding from 1994-1996. Won the heavy weight class in bodybuilding nationals in 1990.

KP: Do you plan to compete in powerlifting again?

SK: Only if my back is 100%. Now I'm struggling a bit to keep it smooth. If I choose to do so, I like to do some great results in deadlift! But for now, I don't think so.

KP: I read a few years ago where you said you wanted to compete in the Masters Olympia someday. Is that still in your plans?

SK: Yes, I still like to do that, not that I think I will win, but since I can. I still have a pro. card from bodybuilding you know !. And it will also be a challenge to see how I will look like as a bodybuilder now after so many years away from the sport. I will have to train totally different from now.

KP: What is your favorite sport between bodybuilding, powerlifting and strongman?

SK: I will have to say Strongman. I really found my place in sports I think. This suits me perfect. I love the lifestyle, the travelling, the form of training and the people involved. It's so much more social than being a bodybuilder. I really can enjoy life now and still make a living out of it. I'm very blessed to get to do what I like the most. I don't want it to end! Maybe I have to hang in there until the next Svend Karlsen is ready to compete in 22 years time???

KP: After barely missing the finals in your first WSM in 1996, did you know after that contest that you would one day become the World's Strongest Man or was it later on that you thought you had a chance?

SK: Yes, I really as I said found my place and loved it from the very first day. My goal was to become the World strongest man some day. I had been so close in powerlifting and bodybuilding before without making it to the very top, so yes, that was my goal.

KP: How did it feel to finally win the World's Strongest Man in 2001 after coming so close a couple of times?

SK. Looking back now it's like there's been a red thread all the way. In 1999 I took 3rd, in 2000 I took 2nd and than in 2001 winning the whole thing just made it all complete. I went all the steps, and now it's like nobody can look back and say it was just a beginner's luck. I have been around now for some years and learned from the best (still do). It felt good to only get better. Victory even tastes better if you have to work for it! Another thing that I'm proud of is that I have probably done 30-40 competitions now, all placing in top 3.

KP: Can you tell us about this year's WSM? Were you disappointed with the outcome?

SK: Off course I was disappointed in a way. But that lasted for about 1 hour. I had to look forward and not back if I wanted to stay in there. I was very happy to win the China GP right after with good margins. I also know what I did wrong before this years wsm, so I'm not worried at all.

KP: We are still shocked with the passing of American Strongman Johnny Perry. Did you know Johnny well?

SK: It was a shock to me to hear about Johnny. It was strange in a way, because Johnny was the last man I talked to together with my wife leaving Kuala Lumpor. We had a drink, and talked about he being so happy in life. I could not believe it when I heard it right before I was supposed to meet him again in Stockholm. It was sad, and I deeply feel for his family and friends.

KP: Who inspired you when you first started training?

SK: I saw a picture of Arnold Schwartzenegger when I was a small guy, can't even remember my age. After that, growing up, I got idols and found inspirations from people I knew and could talk too.

KP: Tell us about your training regimen.

KP: Do you have training partners or do your train alone?

SK: I normally train together with a guy called Reidar Kvaale. He's very strong too, and a good partner for me. When I train my events training I have a coach called Knut Bjorvatten. He's also training a bit himself, but helps me a lot.

KP: What is the biggest challenge to your Strongman success?

SK: To stay focused all the time, and to be strict enough to do what I'm supposed to do. Strongman is for me a lifestyle, I eat, sleep and train to be the best, and do the sacrifices I have to do to stay on top. Meaning, I don't drink more than 1-2 times a year, and I eat as clean as I have to.

KP: Any funny stories that have happened to you in your travels as a strongman?

SK: Strongman is nothing like fun, it's dead serious man !!!(ha-ha) Have a lot of stories, but the secret stays with me. It's best that way!!!

KP: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?

SK: That was when my son was born!!! He's turned out to be a mini me. He's in training with us every day, so I'm not surprised if he enters the strongman sport.

KP: What are some of your interests outside strength training?

SK: I spend a lot of time together with my family. My wife is not working so we have a lot of time together all of us. We do family stuff, and mom and dad stuff too!!! I really look forward to my son are going to have interests that I can follow him in. But if you ask what I do when we don't train, I like to watch tv and movies. I also live close to the sea, and have got a boat I spend a lot of time in. I like to fish and hunt.

KP: Do you stay on a strict diet? What would your favorite "cheat" meal consist of?

SK: We try to eat pretty clean all the time, but off course I cheat too. I love all kind of food and snacks. My wife cooks me all kinds of strange food! I like the normal cheat snacks as ice cream and candy, McDonalds and Coca-Cola. You name it!

KP: You said you would be competing at the Arnold again this year? What was your take on last year's event? How do you think last years Arnold Strongman winner Mark Henry would do if he concentrated exclusively on strongman competitions?

SK: I was happy with last year's events. I know I would have won if I had done a better deadlift. I did my worse deadlift in years there. And I also did a mistake that I competed in Boston only one week before. when I got back home again I found out why I did a bad deadlift, my hip was looked. That's why I had such a bad back in Ohio. It's hard to say how Mark H. would have done as a strongman? If he would have been very good why isn't he competing full time then? But if you ask me if he's strong, I will have to say one of the strongest!

KP: What are your goals for the future? Do you plan to regain your WSM title?

SK: My goals are to stay in the sport as long as I can, but I like to have something to do there. I mean I like to know that I still can win the competitions that I enter, or at least be fighting for top 3. I also like to win Worlds Strongest Man again. I will try very hard this year again, and we will see where it takes me.

KP: Anyone in closing you would like to mention or thank?

SK: I'd like to thank all the people that have helped me in one way or another! My parents and family has always been there and that means a great deal to me.

KP: Any final comments?

SK: Like to thank all my fans out there, thank you for all the e-mails and good thoughts! Keep on training, no guts-no glory!

KP: Thanks Svend!

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