Swedish Athletes Gear Up for World Championships: Ambitions and Emotions
Swedish athletes, including Julia Henriksson and Benjamin Nygren, share their aspirations and emotions as they prepare for the 2025 World Championships.
Key Points
- • Julia Henriksson aims to improve her times at the World Championships in Japan.
- • Henriksson has a strong emotional bond with her late coach, Kenth Olsson.
- • Benjamin Nygren is focused on World Cup qualifiers after joining Celtic which he sees as a dream opportunity.
- • Nygren has started strong in league play, scoring three goals in four matches.
As the 2025 World Championships in various sports approach, Swedish athletes are openly sharing their preparations, goals, and emotional connections that drive their ambitions. Julia Henriksson is set to depart for Fukuoka, Japan, where she will compete in the 100m and 200m events. This marks her second World Championship appearance, and Henriksson hopes to better her previous Olympic semifinals result in the 200m. She trained extensively in Italy and Sweden under the late coach Kenth Olsson, whose influence she cherishes deeply. "I feel like I have Kenth with me," Henriksson stated, demonstrating the emotional weight her training journey carries. Additionally, she plans to explore Japan following the championships, eager to enjoy local cuisine, particularly sushi.
Meanwhile, in football, Benjamin Nygren is focused on representing Sweden in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after joining Celtic. Nygren aims to build on his recent success, having scored three goals in his first four matches with the club. The 24-year-old athlete turned down offers from Bundesliga teams to join Celtic, highlighting the club's prestige and fan culture. "This is a big dream for me," Nygren emphasized, as he looks ahead to the qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo, viewing participation in the World Cup as a childhood aspiration.