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| Personal information | |
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| Birth name | Karl Samuelsson |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Born | (1969-12-21) December 21, 1969 (age 54) Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden |
| Occupation(s) | Strongman, Armwrestling, Actor |
| Years active | 1995–2008 |
| Height | 201 cm (6 ft 7 in)[1] |
| Spouse | Kristin Samuelsson |
| Children | David Samuelsson Sara Samuelsson |
| Relative | Brother – Torbjörn Samuelsson |
Medal record | |
Magnus Samuelsson (born December 21, 1969), is a Swedish actor, former strongman and winner of the 1998 World's Strongest Man contest in Morocco. He has also made it to the World's Strongest Man podium 5 times and the finals 10 times and is regarded as one of the best strongmen in history. The son of a former Swedish arm wrestling champion, he has also been ranked among the best arm wrestlers in Europe during his active years (early - mid 90's) with a second place in 1993 as his best performance. [2]
Samuelsson held the record for reaching the World's Strongest Man finals 10 times, a feat which he achieved over a 13-year span from 1995 to 2007. He has also achieved a podium place in WSM on five separate occasions.
In 2001, Samuelsson became the overall champion of the Strongman Super Series. After competing in the IFSA Strongman World Championship in 2005, he returned to compete in the 2006 World's Strongest Man but failed to make it past the qualifying rounds due to a back injury. A year later, Samuelsson reached the 2007 finals, eventually finishing in 5th place. However, after failing to make the finals in the 2008 World's Strongest Man contest, Samuelsson announced his retirement from competition after 14 years competing in the sport. He achieved a 31 podium finish making him one of the all-time most successful strongman competitors.
Torbjörn Samuelsson (Samuelsson' brother) also competed in strongman competitions between 1996 and 2002, winning Sweden's Strongest Man twice and competing at the World's Strongest Man 2000–2002.
In 1995, Samuelsson accidentally broke the arm of Australian wrestler Nathan Jones during heats of the 1995 World's Strongest Man contest in Nassau, Bahamas. The injury occurred because Jones employed the novice technique of side twisting. The action combined with Samuelsson's own body strength resulted in a snapped humerus.[3]
Samuelsson is specially noted for his exceptional arm and grip strength. In the 2003 Colin Bryce documentary 'The World's Strongest Arms',[4] together with fellow World's Strongest Man champion Svend Karlsen, Samuelsson demonstrated world class feats of strength such as performing bicep curls with 140 kg (309 lb) for 4 repetitions, bench pressing 270 kg (595 lb) for 2 repetitions, unofficially surpassing Andrus Murumets 121.1 kg (267 lb) rolling thunder world record, three times with lifts of 123.9 kg (273.2 lb), 126.1 kg (278.0 lb) and 129.6 kg (285.7 lb) and unofficially becoming the first man in history to close the IronMind Captains of Crush No. 4 gripper (165.5 kg (365 lb)/ RGC 213 of pressure) for two reps.[5] Following year, Samuelsson officially closed the legendary gripper under official conditions and to this date remains one of only six men to do so.[6]
Magnus Samuelsson was offered a role in the film Gladiator, but declined.[7] One of the reasons he declined was that he believed the film was going to be a B movie. The agent who had phoned him to offer the role had told him that he would "fight with swords and so", and also named a couple of actors in the cast, which Magnus Samuelsson did not recognize.[8]
In 2009 Samuelsson won the Swedish version of the television series Dancing with the Stars, beating songwriter Laila Bagge in the final.
Samuelsson plays Gunnar Nyberg, a detective in the 2011 Swedish crime thriller series Arne Dahl. It has also been aired in Germany and UK. The series are now available on Amazon Prime.
Samuelsson plays Clapa in the BBC's The Last Kingdom. A hulking Danish warrior, Clapa becomes one of the main protagonist Uhtred's best fighters, but his savagery in battle belies a warm heart and loyalty to his comrades that holds no bounds.
Samuelsson lives in TidersruminÖstergötland. He and his brother, Torbjörn, are both full-time farmers. Throughout his career, he has been supported at every competition by his wife Kristin, a former two-time winner of Sweden's strongest woman. They have one son, David, and one daughter, Sara.
Samuelsson is also an automobile racing enthusiast. In 2010 he competed in Rally Sweden, part of the World Rally Championship, finishing in 35th position out of 55.
Done in the gym
During strongman competitions
| Preceded by | World's Strongest Man 1998 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Tina Nordström & Tobias Karlsson' |
Let's Dance Winner Season 4 (2009 with Annika Sjöö) |
Succeeded by TBA |
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Strongman Super Series World Champions
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World Strongman Challenge Champions
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| Original – 1987 to 1998 |
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| Beauty and the Beast – 1999 to 2003 |
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| IFSA – 2006 |
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| International |
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| National |
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