lifts in his early years were a 400 kg squat, 260 kg bench press and a 412.5 kg deadlift. In an interview in 1997, he claimed his most notable feat of strength was deadlifting 400 kg for 3 repetitions. Personal records Bench Press – Squat – Squat – x 14 reps (2002 WSM Final) Deadlift – Raw Deadlift – for 3 repetitions Farmer's walk – in each hand (70 meter course) in 22.87 seconds (2003 Finland Grand Prix) Retirement Karlsen retired from competition in 2006, and began serving as presenter and producer of the Norwegian version of the World's Strongest Man contest and the qualifying tour; Giants Live After retirement Karlsen is the event organizer for the Norway's Strongest Man competition, introducing events and commentating. Karlsen was a co-commentator for the final event at the 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic. Karlsen also ran the Viking Power Challenge event in Norway, which was a part of the Super Series and later Giants Live tour for qualification into the World's Strongest Man competition. Other competitions Strongest Man in the North 1996 - 5 World Series Strongman Challenge 1997 - 3 European Hercules 1997 - 4 Helsinki Grand Prix 1998 - 2 Atlantic Giant 1998 - 3 Helsinki Grand Prix 2000 - 3 Ireland Grand Prix 2000 - 3 Beauty & The Beast 2000 - 2 Prague Grand Prix 2000 - 2 Romania Grand Prix 2000 - 4 China Grand Prix 2000 - 4 Northeast Strongman Showdown 2001 - 1 Polish Grand Prix 2001 - 3 Europe's Strongest Man 2001 - 1 Dutch Grand Prix 2001 - 3 Beauty & The Beast 2001 - 3 World Muscle Power 2001 - 2 Prague Grand Prix 2001 - 2 World Record Breakers 2001 - 1 X-treme Strongman Challenge 2001 - 1 Stockholm Grand Prix - 3 Northeast Strongman Showdown 2002 - 2 Arnold Classic strongman Contest 2002 - 2 Vantaa Challenge 2002 - 2 Atlantic Giants 2002 - 1 Clash of Titans 2002 - 1 Clash of the Celtic giants 2002 - 2 Europe Strongest Man 2002 - 3 China Grand Prix 2002 - 1 Sweden Grand Prix Super Series 2002 - 2 Team World vs. Poland 2002 - 1 Super Series Final 2002 - 2 Hawaii Grand Prix Super Series - 9 Arnold Classic Strongman contest 2003 - 2 Helsinki Grand Prix 2003 - 6 World Muscle & Power 2003 - 6 Holland Grand Prix