Swedish Athletes Gear Up for World Championships: Ambitions and Emotions

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.