Famous Norwegian Sportspersons

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 1 
Magnus Carlsen
(One of the Best Chess Players of All Time)
Magnus Carlsen
13
Birthdate: November 30, 1990
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tønsberg Municipality, Norway

At 13, chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen became the youngest grandmaster. His rating of 2,872 was the highest ever in history. He also recorded the longest unbeaten run in chess. Named one of Cosmopolitan’s “sexiest men of 2013,”he  has also modeled for G-Star Raw, owns a chess-app company, and loves football.

 2 
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
(Norwegian Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward)
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
13
Birthdate: February 26, 1973
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kristiansund, Norway

Former Norwegian football player, Ole Gunnar Solskjær was one of the most successful players of Manchester United and scored 126 goals for it. He famously scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final to secure a treble for the Manchester United. Post retirement, he began his coaching career and is currently the manager of Manchester United.

 3 
Sonja Henie
(Norwegian Figure Skater, Actress and Three-Time Olympic Gold Medallist)
Sonja Henie
8
Birthdate: April 8, 1912
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Died: October 12, 1969
Sonja Henie wasn’t just a 3-time Olympic champion in figure skating but also proved to be a Hollywood superstar, with hits such as Thin Ice and My Lucky Star. She debuted at the Olympics at age 11 and also won 10 World Championships consecutively. She was also proficient in tennis, swimming, and skiing.
 4 
Viktor Hovland
(Golfer)
Viktor Hovland
3
Birthdate: September 18, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Born to a golf enthusiast father, Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland was trained in the sport since age 11. He later scripted history by becoming the first from his country to win the U.S. Amateur, to compete in the Masters, and to win on the PGA European Tour.

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 5 
Casper Ruud
(Tennis player)
Casper Ruud
3
Birthdate: December 22, 1998
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Apart from being the first Norwegian tennis player to score an ATP title win, Casper Ruud also became the highest ranked player from his country ever. The son of legendary Norwegian tennis player Christian Ruud, Casper has begun his training in the game at age 4.

 6 
Cecilia Braekhus
(Norwegian Professional Boxer)
Cecilia Braekhus
3
Birthdate: September 28, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cartagena, Colombia

Tagged by the media as Boxing’s First Lady, Norwegian boxer/kickboxer Cecilia Braekhu scripted history by becoming the first female boxer to hold the WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO titles at the same time. Colombian-born Braekhu was adopted by a Norwegian couple as a 2-year-old and began boxing as a teenager.

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 7 
Ole Einar Bjørndalen
(Norwegian Professional Biathlete and Coach)
Ole Einar Bjørndalen
4
Birthdate: January 27, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Drammen, Norway

Ole Einar Bjørndalen is a Norwegian former biathlete and coach. Nicknamed the King of Biathlon, Bjørndalen has 13 Winter Olympic Games medals under his belt and is second only to Marit Bjørgen, who has 15 medals, in the list of multiple medalists. Having won 45 medals, Ole Einar Bjørndalen is also the most successful biathlete at the Biathlon World Championships.

 8 
Aksel Lund Svindal
(Alpine Ski Racer)
Aksel Lund Svindal
4
Birthdate: December 26, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lørenskog Municipality, Norway

Aksel Lund Svindal is a former alpine ski racer. A two-time World Cup champion, Svindal is widely regarded as the best Norwegian alpine skier of all time. During the course of his illustrious career, Aksel Lund Svindal won two Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and an Olympic bronze medal. He also won five gold medals at World Championships.

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 9 
Johannes Thingnes Bø
(Norwegian Biathlete)
Johannes Thingnes Bø
2
Birthdate: May 16, 1993
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Stryn, Norway

Johannes Thingnes Bø is a Norwegian biathlete who has won five Olympic gold medals so far. He has also won 12 World Championship gold medals and is the third-most successful male biathlete with 55 individual World Cup wins under his belt. Thanks to his fast skiing and incredible shooting accuracy, Johannes has become the most dominant biathlete in recent past.

 10 
Suzann Pettersen
(Norwegian Professional Golfer)
Suzann Pettersen
3
Birthdate: April 7, 1981
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Leading former golfer Suzann Pettersen, also known as Tutta, was 6 when she participated in her first tournament. Initially also interested in skiing, Pettersen later focused on golf. Her illustrious career saw her win 22 titles, 15 of them on the LPGA Tour and 6 on the LET.

 11 
Jack Hermansson
(Swedish-Norwegian Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Jack Hermansson
5
Birthdate: June 10, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Uddevalla, Sweden

Swedish-born Norwegian MMA fighter Jack Hermansson, also known to fans as The Joker, is associated with the UFC. The former middleweight champion began his career with Greco-Roman wrestling, or French wrestling, at age 9. He moved to Norway at 19 and began his career in MMA.

 12 
Morten Gamst Pedersen
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Played as a Midfielder)
Morten Gamst Pedersen
4
Birthdate: September 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Vadsø, Norway

Norwegian footballer Morten Gamst Pedersen who created headlines for being active in the game even at age 40, has previously been a star for the Blackburn Rovers. The Åsane midfielder is the son of former footballer Ernst Pedersen. He has also scored a hit song as part of the boyband The Players.

 13 
John Arne Riise
(Norwegian Professional Football Manager and Former Player)
John Arne Riise
6
Birthdate: September 24, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Molde, Norway

Norwegian football manager and former footballer John Arne Riise is perhaps best known for his stint with Liverpool, having won 6 titles with them, including an FA Cup and a UEFA Champions League. He was honored with the Kniksen of the Year award in 2006.

 14 
Grete Waitz
(Norwegian Marathon Runner and Former World Record Holder)
Grete Waitz
2
Birthdate: October 1, 1953
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Died: April 19, 2011

Grete Waitz was a Norwegian marathon runner who became the first female runner to complete a marathon in less than two and a half hours in 1979. A former world record holder, Waitz won a record nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988. Grete Waitz is also remembered for winning the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games.  

 15 
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde
(Norwegian Alpine Ski Racer)
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde
2
Birthdate: September 21, 1992
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bærum, Akershus, Norway

A 2-time Olympic medalist and a Junior World Champion, Norwegian alpine ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is associated with the club Lommedalens IL. He has also won the Downhill and Super-G World Cup titles. He is passionate about the environment, too, and has been a Syngenta Group ambassador.

 16 
Karsten Warholm
(Norwegian Sprinter and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Karsten Warholm
4
Birthdate: February 28, 1996
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

Karsten Warholm is a Norwegian athlete who won the gold medal in the men's 400 meters hurdles event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Apart from winning the gold medal, he also broke his own world record by finishing the race in 45.94 seconds. In 2021, Karsten Warholm won the prestigious World Male Athlete of the Year award.

 17 
Tiril Eckhoff
(Norwegian Former Biathlete)
Tiril Eckhoff
3
Birthdate: May 21, 1990
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bærum, Norway

Tiril Eckhoff is a Norwegian biathlete best known for winning two Olympic gold medals at the 2014 and 2022 Winter Games. She also has two silver and four Olympic bronze medals under her belt. Tiril Eckhoff has also found immense success at the Biathlon World Championships where she has won 10 gold, two silver, and three bronze medals so far. 

 18 
Alexander Kristoff
(Cyclist)
Alexander Kristoff
2
Birthdate: July 5, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Alexander Kristoff is a Norwegian road bicycle racer best known for winning the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In 2017, he went on to win the silver medal at the World Championships as well as the gold medal at the European Road Cycling Championships. 

 19 
Tore André Flo
(Norwegian Former Professional Football Striker and Coach)
Tore André Flo
6
Birthdate: June 15, 1973
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Flo, Norway

Norwegian striker Tore André Flo has also represented renowned clubs, including Chelsea and Leeds United as a player, winning multiple titles with the former, such as the FA Cup. He comes from a family of footballers and is also known for his decade-long association with Chelsea as their coaching staff.

 20 
Henrik Kristoffersen
(Norwegian Alpine Ski Racer and Olympic Medalist)
Henrik Kristoffersen
2
Birthdate: July 2, 1994
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lørenskog, Akershus, Norway

Henrik Kristoffersen is a Norwegian alpine ski racer known for winning a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics. Prior to his appearance in Pyeongchang, Kristoffersen had won a bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. In 2016, Kristoffersen became the first male racer to emerge victorious in six World Cup slalom races in a single season in 24 years.

 21 
Nora Mørk
(Norwegian Handball Player)
Nora Mørk
4
Birthdate: April 5, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Nora Mørk is a Norwegian handball player best known for helping her national team win bronze medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. She is also a world champion and a European champion, having won two World Championship gold medals and four European Championship gold medals so far.

 22 
Jakob Ingebrigtsen
(Norwegian Middle and Long-Distance Runner and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Jakob Ingebrigtsen
3
Birthdate: September 19, 2000
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sandnes, Norway

The youngest of the Ingebrigtsen runner brothers from Norway, Jakob Ingebrigtsen was 17 when he won both the 1500m and 5000m at the 2018 European Championships. Trained by his award-winning sports coach father, Gjert Ingebrigtsen, he also won a gold in the 1500 m. at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

 23 
Andreas Thorkildsen
(Norwegian Track and Field Athlete)
Andreas Thorkildsen
2
Birthdate: April 1, 1982
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kristiansand, Norway

Andreas Thorkildsen is a Norwegian retired track and field athlete who took part in the javelin throw event. He won two Olympic gold medals, two gold medals at the European Championships and one gold medal at the World Championships. Thorkildsen is the first male javelin thrower to simultaneously be World, European, and Olympic Champion in the history of javelin throw.

 24 
Tarjei Bø
(Norwegian Professional Biathlete)
Tarjei Bø
2
Birthdate: July 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stryn, Norway

Tarjei Bo is a Norwegian biathlete best known for winning three Olympic gold medals, which include two medals at the 2022 Olympics. He also has two silver medals and a bronze Olympic medal under his belt. The older brother of Johannes Thingnes Bø, Tarjei Bo has also won 11 gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals at the World Championships.

 25 
Omar Elabdellaoui
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right Back and as a Right Midfielder)
Omar Elabdellaoui
4
Birthdate: December 5, 1991
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Omar Elabdellaoui is a Norwegian football player best known for his association with the Olympiacos Football Club with which he has won four Super League Greece tournaments. Omar Elabdellaoui has also been an important player for the Norwegian national team since 2013.

 26 
Johann Olav Koss
(Norwegian Speed Skater)
Johann Olav Koss
2
Birthdate: October 29, 1968
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Drammen, Norway

Johann Olav Koss is a Norwegian former speed skater best known for winning three gold medals at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. He is also known for winning gold and a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville. In 2018, Koss became a member of the Olympians for Life project, which aims at making the world a better place.

 27 
Petter Solberg
(Rally driver)
Petter Solberg
1
Birthdate: November 18, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Askim

Norwegian rally and rallycross driver Petter Solberg was a teenager when he won the Norwegian Tamiya Cup and later won 10 FIA World Rallycross Championships and 13 World Rally Championships. He is married to Pernilla Walfridsson, who is herself a leading former rally driver and the daughter of rally driver Per-Inge "Pi" Walfridsson.

 28 
Emil Weber Meek
(Norwegian Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Emil Weber Meek
4
Birthdate: August 20, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Tønsberg, Norway

Emil Weber Meek is a Norwegian mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. He is also known for his participation in the Venator Fighting Championship where he was a former Welterweight Champion.

 29 
Stine Bredal Oftedal
(Norwegian Handball Player and Olympic Medalist)
Stine Bredal Oftedal
3
Birthdate: September 25, 1991
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Stine Bredal Oftedal is a Norwegian handball player who currently captains the national team. She has helped her team win two Olympic bronze medals as well as three World Championship gold medals. Stine Bredal Oftedal has also helped her team win four European Championship gold medals. In 2019, the International Handball Federation named her World Handball Player of the Year.

 30 
Kristian Blummenfelt
(Norwegian Triathlete and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kristian Blummenfelt
0
Birthdate: February 14, 1994
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bergen, Norway
 31 
Kjetil Andre Aamodt
(Norwegian Alpine Ski Racer and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kjetil Andre Aamodt
3
Birthdate: September 2, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Known for both his speed and technical expertise, Norwegian ski racer Kjetil Andre Aamodt has won 8 Olympic medals, including 4 golds. He is also a 5-time World Champion, has won a World Cup race in each of the 5 disciplines, and has been named to the International Ski Racing Hall of Fame.

 32 
Joshua King
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Joshua King
1
Birthdate: January 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Norwegian footballer Joshua King is best known as a forward for Watford. A child prodigy, he began his youth career with Romsås IL at age 6. He has also represented teams such as Manchester United and the Blackburn Rovers. He won the prestigious Gullballen award in 2017.

 33 
Kjetil Jansrud
(Norwegian Former Alpine Ski Racer and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kjetil Jansrud
2
Birthdate: August 28, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Stavanger, Norway

Kjetil Jansrud is a Norwegian alpine ski racer best known for winning a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He also has two silver and two Olympic bronze medals under his belt. Kjetil Jansrud is also a world champion, having won a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships in Åre, Sweden.

 34 
Alexandra Andresen
(Youngest Billionaire)
Alexandra Andresen
6
Birthdate: July 23, 1996
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Alexandra Andresen is a Norwegian heiress who made headlines in 2016 when she became the youngest billionaire in the world at the age of 19! She was named the world's youngest billionaire by Forbes for three consecutive years. Alexandra Andresen has also modeled for the equestrian clothing company KingsLand and has won several honors and awards in horse dressage competitions.

 35 
Håvard Nordtveit
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defender / Defensive Midfielder)
Håvard Nordtveit
4
Birthdate: June 21, 1990
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Vats, Norway

Norwegian footballer Håvard Nordtveit is best known as a defender/defensive midfielder for the German club Hoffenheim. He began his youth career with Norwegian clubs such as Vats 94 and Haugesund. He has also played for Arsenal and Fulham. He once lost a tooth following a clash with Norwegian footballer Bernt Hulsker.

 36 
Stefan Johansen
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Central Midfielder)
Stefan Johansen
4
Birthdate: January 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Vardø, Norway

Stefan Johansen is a Norwegian football player and the current captain of the popular English football club Queens Park Rangers. An attacking midfielder, Johansen won the 2013 Kniksen Award under the Midfielder of the Year category. The following year, he was honored with the prestigious Gullballen award. Stefan Johansen announced his retirement from international football in 2021.

 37 
Ronny Deila
(Norwegian Football Manager and Former Player)
Ronny Deila
4
Birthdate: September 21, 1975
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Porsgrunn, Norway

Norwegian former footballer Ronny Deila, who now coaches New York City FC, had a successful stint with Odds Ballklubb as a player, winning the Norwegian Football Cup with them. The Kniksen Coach of the Year award winner made headlines for stripping down to his underwear after New York City’s first MLS Cup win.

 38 
Ørjan Nyland
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Ørjan Nyland
3
Birthdate: September 10, 1990
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Volda, Norway

Ørjan Nyland is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. In 2012, he helped Hødd win the Norwegian Cup by winning the man of the match award in the finals. He then went on to win two more Norwegian Cups with Molde in 2013 and 2014. In 2014 and 2015, Nyland won the Tippeligaen Goalkeeper of the Year award.

 39 
Ronny Johnsen
(Norwegian Former Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back or Defensive Midfielder)
Ronny Johnsen
3
Birthdate: June 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sandefjord, Norway

Best known for his long stint with Manchester United, which saw him win numerous titles, such as the FA Cup and the Premier League, retired Norwegian footballer Ronny Johnsen has also competed at the FIFA World Cup for Norway. He has also won a Kniksen Award and now coaches Eik Tønsberg.

 40 
Molla Mallory
(Norwegian Tennis Player)
Molla Mallory
2
Birthdate: March 6, 1884
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mosvik, Norway
Died: November 22, 1959

A pioneering figure in women’s tennis, Norwegian tennis legend Molla Mallory was the first female from her country to participate in the Olympics. She was also an 8-time singles champion at the U.S. National Championships, the only woman with that feat, and won an Olympic bronze, too.

 41 
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
(Norwegian Cross-Country Skier and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
3
Birthdate: October 22, 1996
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was 21 when he won 3 gold medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and later won 2 more Olympic golds. He became the youngest male Olympic champion in the sport. The sports star had started skiing at age 2 and was also passionate about football.

 42 
Marit Bjørgen
(Norwegian Cross-Country Skier and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Marit Bjørgen
3
Birthdate: March 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Trondheim, Norway

A 5-time Olympian, Norwegian skier Marit Bjørgen has 15 Olympic medals, including 8 golds, which is a Winter Olympics record in itself. She had begun competing at 7 and also has 18 World Championship gold medals. Her use of an anti-asthma drug once caused doping rumors.

 43 
John Carew
(Norwegian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
John Carew
1
Birthdate: September 5, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lørenskog, Akershus, Norway

Norwegian former footballer John Carew has had successful stints with clubs such as Valencia, Aston Villa, and Lyon. He has also scored 24 goals for the Norwegian national team. Post-retirement, he stepped into acting, with roles in movies such as Dead of Winter and series such as Heimebane.

 44 
Terje Håkonsen
(One of the Most Influential Snowboarders in the History of the Sport)
Terje Håkonsen
2
Birthdate: October 11, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vinje Municipality, Norway

Terje Håkonsen is a Norwegian snowboarder whose proficiency and flowing style on all types of terrain have characterized his snowboarding. Counted among the most influential snowboarders of all time, Håkonsen is credited with popularizing the sport by appearing in international snowboard productions and films. Terje Håkonsen has won multiple World Championships and European Championships.

 45 
Henning Berg
(Norwegian Football Manager and Former Player)
Henning Berg
3
Birthdate: September 1, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Eidsvoll, Norway

Henning Berg is a Norwegian former professional football player best known for his participation in the Premier League. He is the first player to win the EPL with two different clubs, having won the titles with Manchester United as well as Blackburn Rovers. Berg was also an important player for the national team at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

 46 
Ola Kamara
(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Ola Kamara
4
Birthdate: October 15, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Ola Kamara is a Norwegian football player who plays as a striker. Although his father is from Sierra Leone, Kamara chose to represent Norway in international football as his mother is from Norway. Apart from playing for popular clubs like D.C. United, Ola Kamara has also been an important player for the Norway national team since 2013.

 47 
Maren Lundby
(Norwegian Ski Jumper)
Maren Lundby
2
Birthdate: September 7, 1994
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gjøvik, Norway

One of the world’s most successful ski jumpers, Maren Lundby is an Olympic gold medalist and a 2-time World Champion. The Norwegian sports star was also the world’s second female ski jumping Olympic champion. She stunned her fans by withdrawing from the 2022 Winter Olympics for weight issues.

 48 
Emil Hegle Svendsen
(Norwegian Biathlete)
Emil Hegle Svendsen
2
Birthdate: July 12, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Trondheim, Norway

Known for his 8 Olympic medals, including 4 golds, Norwegian retired biathlete Emil Hegle Svendsen is also known to fans by the nickname Super Svendsen. He also has 5 individual World Championship gold medals. Svendsen is also known for his relationship with popular TV presenter Samantha Skogrand.

 49 
Annette Obrestad
(Norwegian Poker Player)
Annette Obrestad
0
Birthdate: September 18, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sandnes, Norway
 50 
Lasse Kjus
(Norwegian Alpine Skier and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Lasse Kjus
2
Birthdate: January 14, 1971
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway

Lasse Kjus is a Norwegian retired alpine ski racer who won two overall World Cup titles, three World Championship gold medals, and one Olympic gold medal during his career. His combined total of 16 World Championship and Olympic medals makes him the second-most successful alpine ski racer. In 2015, Kjus was inducted into the International Ski Racing Hall of Fame.