It was a huge shock for the men’s 35-kilometre rally.
Perseus Karlström was in the tight group for a long time and fought for the gold.
But with a few kilometers remaining, he had to give up his place and settle for the bronze.
Perseus Karlstrom Last weekend, he took a WC bronze at 20km despite injuring his foot all the way. But he sent a calm message 35 km ago Sunday where he was one of the candidates.
But the race did not have enough time to start the race before Japan’s Daisuke Matsunaga drifted wide and after ten kilometers was 50 seconds ahead of the group in which Karlstrom was included.
However, the tight group would eat up the distance over time and Matsunaga was tired and had nothing to do with the medal match. On the other hand, the Swede had it.
Only Karlstrom and four other infantrymen remained seven kilometers away. After that Karlstrom had only one warning and only four kilometers left, Perseus had to work hard to keep up with the others. The Swede refused to surrender and instead it was the Chinese who had to abandon him.
Won a bronze medal
Soon, Brian Pintado left with only three left. But with just over two kilometers left, Karlstrom was forced to give up, and when one kilometer remained, the Swede was 13 seconds behind Japan’s Masatura Kawano and Italy’s Massimo Stano.
Shortly thereafter, Stano put on the last gear and took home the gold medal. Kawano took the silver and Perseus Karlström took another WC bronze as he ran to the finish line wearing a Viking hat.
After the race, he burst into tears.
– Fabulous. Perseus’ mother and national racing team captain Seif Karlstrom says it’s a great race completed.
– They eat great, I don’t know what to say. It’s cool and crazy, Perseus Karlström tells SVT after the race.