Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Agent about Sjöström: "What an Enormous Athlete"

Daniel Wessfeldt enjoyed the scene of Sarah Sjöström's gold success. These are wonderful, exciting days for the agent. On Monday evening, he will follow another client – Armand "Mondo" Duplantis – in a new gold hunt. They get triggered by this, says Wessfeldt.

» Updated: 06 August 2024, 14:49

» Published: 04 August 2024

The Agent about Sjöström: "What an Enormous Athlete"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

The Scanian has collaborated with several of Sweden's greatest sports profiles for decades, particularly in athletics.

When he does a quick interview about a quarter of an hour after Sjöström's powerful performance in the 50 freestyle, it's almost as if he's dancing in front of the camera.

What an enormous athlete, he says.

Largest of All Time

And states firmly:

It's not just because I've worked with her, but I consider Sarah Sjöström to be Sweden's greatest female athlete of all time, including all sports. You have to consider that swimming is a global sport. It's tough, it's devilish competition.

Wessfeldt's collaboration with Sjöström began years before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Nearly ten years later, she is still the swimmer everyone else is trying to beat.

What drives her, do you think?

I think she still thinks it's fun to be an elite athlete. She thinks it's fun to go to training camps, to socialize in that world. She feels good about it instead of stepping into a civilian life in an office.

"Loves the Challenge"

Which of her qualities impresses you the most?

It's undoubtedly her mental toughness. When they blow the whistle to get up and stand on the starting block, many get rubber arms or legs. Then it's "Just give it to me, I'm ready" for her.

She loves the challenge, but many others get scared and some don't feel well about it. She feels good about it – and that's a damn quality. It's clear that she's also a super talent. She's smart and knows how to train, and this thing about going down to shorter distances to maintain motivation is also completely right.

There are only two who have that mental toughness. It's her and "Mondo" Duplantis. They're equally crazy.

Know Each Other Well

And you'll soon see him take a gold...?

Yes, it's completely fantastic, and they know each other well too. I know they've sat and talked, and he sat and watched her now. They trigger each other. They don't get stressed by other things around them. They can handle it.

Duplantis will receive over half a million kronor in prize money from World Athletics for an Olympic gold medal. The International Swimming Federation does not pay out any prize money, but Sjöström still earns well from her Olympic success.

Bonuses will roll in from her main sponsors. There will probably also be some new collaborations coming out of this, says Daniel Wessfeldt.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Confirmed: Dream Group for Sweden in Nations League
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Dream Group for Sweden in Nations League

Norwegian Olympic canoeist becomes World Championship swimmer
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Olympic canoeist becomes World Championship swimmer

Furious over Palestine banner at PSG match
1 MIN READ

Furious over Palestine banner at PSG match

The new venture a challenge: "I said no"
3 MIN READ

The new venture a challenge: "I said no"

Bayern Munich fan silent in the stands
1 MIN READ

Bayern Munich fan silent in the stands

Sprint star moves to Italy
1 MIN READ

Sprint star moves to Italy

Northug: Dreams of the podium in Vasaloppet
2 MIN READ

Northug: Dreams of the podium in Vasaloppet

Star Durant sank Larsson's Miami
1 MIN READ

Star Durant sank Larsson's Miami

From unknown to national team: "Cool thing"
3 MIN READ

From unknown to national team: "Cool thing"

NHL star McDavid back after injury
2 MIN READ

NHL star McDavid back after injury

After the Ridicule – Viral "Raygun" Gives Up
2 MIN READ

After the Ridicule – Viral "Raygun" Gives Up

CL success for the Swede: zero intact
2 MIN READ

CL success for the Swede: zero intact

Dark Night Start for Apelgren: "Damn, That's Awful"
2 MIN READ

Dark Night Start for Apelgren: "Damn, That's Awful"

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties
1 MIN READ

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic
2 MIN READ

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe
2 MIN READ

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf
1 MIN READ

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One
2 MIN READ

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one
1 MIN READ

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing
1 MIN READ

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing