Torfi Olafsson (born 13 April 1965)[5] is an Icelandic former strongman competitor and junior world champion powerlifter. He was one of the biggest competitors from Iceland to compete at the World's Strongest Man, standing 201 cm (6 ft 7 in) and weighing 190 kg (420 lb).

Torfi Ólafsson
Personal information
Born (1965-04-13) 13 April 1965 (age 59)
Iceland
Occupation(s)Strongman, powerlifter
Height201 cm (6 ft 7 in)[1]
Medal record
Strongman
Representing  Iceland
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 1995 World's Strongest Man
4th 1997 World's Strongest Man
7th 1998 World's Strongest Man
7th 1999 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2000 World's Strongest Man
World Muscle Power Championships
3rd 1996
Iceland's Strongest Man
1st 1997[2]
3rd 1998
3rd 1999[3]
2nd 2000
Icelandic Power Trial Championships
2nd 1995
Powerlifting
Representing  Iceland
IPF Juniors' World Powerlifting Championships
1st 1985[4]
Disqualified 1986[4]
2nd 1988[4]
EPF Men's Junior European Powerlifting Championships
1st 1985[4]
2nd 1988[4]

Biography

edit

Torfi was born on 13 April 1965. His father was in the road construction industry and Torfi began working for him as early as seven years old. He spent his summers helping his father until he was seventeen. He became the Icelandic powerlifting champion and at the age of 20 won the IPF Junior World Powerlifting Championship. He repeated this feat the following year. As a senior, he placed ninth a number of years later. He also won the EPF Junior European crown.

Like a number of his compatriots he turned to strength athletics and on the strongman circuit was very successful. He won Iceland's Strongest Man in 1997 and was placed third in the prestigious World Muscle Power Championships in 1996. Of the five World's Strongest Man contests he entered, his highest place was fourth in 1997. He was also a keen Highland Games competitor.[1]

Outside of sport Torfi worked in Iceland with the mentally handicapped and is married with four children and a dog. And 5 grandchildren[1] His daughter Kristin Helga Torfadottir is a powerlifter of growing reputation. His son Stefán Karel Torfason became Iceland's Strongest Man in 2021.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Torfi Olafsson". strongestman.billhenderson.org.
  2. ^ Torfi has claimed he has won Iceland's Strongest Man twice and all other years are accounted for except 1997
  3. ^ "Iceland's Strongest Man 1999". YouTube.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Ólafsson Torfi - results in powerlifting and benchpress, records, personal data, photos and video". en.allpowerlifting.com.
  5. ^ "Torfi Ólafsson". www.facebook.com.
  6. ^ https://www.mbl.is/mogginn/bladid/grein/1787052/ [dead link]