PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Håkan Carlqvist would have turned 70 today.
We remember one of Sweden’s greatest sportsmen ever.
“Carla” defied the doctors’ appeal and won the hearts of the Swedish people by going her own way.
There are few Swedish sports profiles who Håkan Carlqvist. An absolutely fantastic skater and an even more lovable personality in one and the same body.
The legendary “Carla”
He became “Carla” with the entire Swedish people and was one of our country’s great sports heroes in the 70s and 80s together with Ingemar Stenmark and Björn Borg. As early as 1974, Carlqvist made his WC debut in motocross and took silver at the SC.
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But just three years later, his whole career could be over after a violent accident at a competition and the doctors pleaded with him to end his career if he did not want to be in a wheelchair at the age of 50. Carla refused to listen and was determined to continue competing and become the best in the world.
– I wanted to be the best, that drove me. Nothing else. Either I won or I broke. I am satisfied when I win gold, everything else is a disappointment, he said in an interview with Aftonbladet in 2000.
– In 1977 the doctors said I couldn’t continue riding motocross, but I continued until 1989.
Carlqvist’s career
Carlqvist would return to the motorcycle and conquer the world. In 1978 he won his very first World Cup race and in 1979 he crushed all opposition by winning World Cup gold in superior style.
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Håkan Carlqvist won 14 out of 24 races in 250 cc and collected a total of 248 points, the closest driver behind only reached 70 points. He then moved up to the heavier 500 cc class to win WC gold there as well.
The injuries and pain continued to haunt him, but in 1983 he showed the entire Swedish people what an incredible fighter he was. By defying back pain and becoming the first Swede in 13 years to win WC gold in motocross’s heaviest class.
Won Achievement Gold
The impressive achievement deservedly rewarded him with the Bragdguldet in 1983 and a place in Swedish sports history forever. And despite the doctors’ serious words in 1977, the career continued for 12 years when he finally retired in 1989.
But the adjustment to an ordinary life was not entirely easy for him.
– It is difficult and difficult. Motocross was my life from the age of 16. Weekends were the worst. I stopped doing something I liked, but I was forced to do it because of all the injuries, Carla admitted to the evening newspaper in the interview in 2000.
Håkan Carlqvist passed away on 6 July 2017 from a brain haemorrhage, he was only 63 years old. Today he would have turned 70 years old and we remember one of the giants of Swedish sports on that special day.
We will never forget you, Carla!
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READ MORE: When the icon Håkan Carlqvist got a crazy idea in the garage – and shocked all the spectators in the first competition of his life
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