That the WC race was an extraordinary test of strength was noticed by Karlström in the television interview after the race. He started giggling, then told me that his whole body tingled so much that his face almost convulsed, and then explained:
— It was a bad race. The last ten kilometers I just tried to stay in the group, not let go of the backs. It was so lucky that competitor after competitor dropped out, he says.
— I’m stuck at a pace and can’t do much but just hope I can keep up. When the others pick up the pace, there is nothing to give. But at least I could keep my pace. I tried to make a sprint, but the body is dumb and doesn’t respond. At least I can march to the finish line.
Nine days ago, Perseus Karlström took bronze in the 20 kilometer race. He then managed to recover for the longer distance, which is actually his best. He came to the WC as world number one in 35 kilometers.
Karlström is a real bronze man. He also took bronze in the Olympics last year and in the WC in Doha 2019, both times in 20 kilometers.
“He goes in and is just as good once again, such a hero,” says national team captain Kajsa Bergqvist to SVT.
The Italian Massimo Stano won with a margin of one second to the Japanese Masatora Kawano. Karlström finished a further 29 seconds behind.