Håkan Carlqvist was not a big fan of Bragdguldet.
At least not as long as he wasn’t the winner.
When he finally won the award, he surprised everyone.
Håkan Carlqvist had already won a WC title. It was an almost sensational feat that made the whole of Motor Sweden cheer loudly. But when it came to the Bragdguldet, Carlqvist had to give way.
The beautiful words about Bragdguldet
Instead, the award, considered by many to be the finest a Swedish sportsperson can receive, was awarded to Malmö FF. The Swedish club had reached the final of the European Cup, where it was the final for Nottingham Forest, but it was still a performance that made the team deserving of the Gold of Achievement. And Carla wasn’t mad about it.
When he was asked how he viewed the missed Bragdguldet, Carlqvist replied, known for always being as calm as a file bowl and never stressing himself out unnecessarily, as only he could.
– The feat gold does not interest me. I will be neither better nor worse as an athlete if I get it, he said.
However, Carlqvist said that IF he were to be awarded it in the event of a possible second world champion title, he would of course accept it.
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Completely changed
And that’s exactly how it happened. Carla, one of Sweden’s most popular athletes of all time, became world champion for the second time in 1983. He secured the title on his Yamaha in the 500cc class, and this time there was no stopping him. But how happy could Carla really be? After all, he had previously seen the importance of the award. But once he got it, he completely swung. Instead, Carla, who always had answers to words, had trouble finding the words.
– Finally, it seems that people are starting to understand what I’m doing. That motocross really is a sport, not just roughing it around on a motorcycle, he said.
He continued:
– Honestly, I didn’t think the Bragdguldet was this big.
Håkan Carlqvist had been clear that he would not be better or worse off by the award. But it was, to say the least, a recognition that he deserved – and which placed him right in the Swedish history book. And he understood it himself.
– It feels as if you have received recognition that you are an athlete. I have been told that the Bragdmedaljen is the best thing an athlete can get in Sweden. But I had no idea it would turn out like this.
Rarely has a prize been awarded so correctly – Håkan Carlqvist, a true legend!
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