In the shadow of skiing stars, there is another athlete who stands out in the Swedish Championship week in Borås.
Sofia Larsson was Sweden's number one in discus with four consecutive Swedish Championship golds, Finnkamps victory, and participation in three European Championships and one World Championship.
Now she has traded the throwing circle for the arm wrestling table.
I found this sport through my partner, who has been involved in it for a few years. And since I stopped competing in discus, I've missed the competitive nerve and adrenaline, which doesn't exist in everyday life. So, that's what I was drawn to. And it's fun to take it seriously again.
Much training at home
In 2016, she ended her athletics career after becoming pregnant with her first child. Five years later, she tried arm wrestling for the first time – also while pregnant.
Then it was training once in a while, and the idea was to train continuously, but it didn't quite work out. Mostly because it's training in the middle of the week, and that doesn't fit well with the kids.
Instead, the couple has an arm wrestling table at home, which they practice with. Good training for the old discus thrower, who brings some parts from her previous career.
Mainly muscle memory and mental strength. But on the other hand, in arm wrestling, there are completely different muscles that you didn't know you had, and more specific exercises.
"Hurts so much in the arms"
These exercises focus on technique, but also more specific strength exercises to be able to break a lot of arms.
But as a beginner, it's hard because it hurts so much in the arms. So, it's about finding a good level early on in training so you don't completely exhaust yourself and then have pain for a month.
She has competed in a few competitions at different levels – but now comes the Swedish Championship, the toughest test so far.
We'll see how I do. Of course, I want to win when I'm at the table, but I have no idea who I'll meet or what the competition is. I could just as easily lose in two straight and get knocked out.
In the Swedish Championship, you can compete in different weight classes and with either hand. For Larsson's part, it will be right-handed, which will be decided on Saturday, and the weight class is -78 kg.
The Swedish Championship week in Borås takes place from 5 to 9 February.
Until Sunday.
The arm wrestling will be decided over two full days, on Friday and Saturday.
The otherwise most star-studded event, cross-country skiing, starts on Thursday with sprint. Continues with women's and men's relay on Friday, before concluding with mass start on Saturday. All competitions will be held at Borås ski stadium.
Other sports at the Swedish Championship: badminton, bowling, boccia, boule, bowling, wrestling, archery, cheerleading, cycling trial, dart, tug-of-war, e-cycling, e-sport rallycross, fencing, cross-country skiing para, indoor rowing, powerlifting, water polo, x-trial.
