World number one shooter on his double life: 'Not the easiest'

Victor Lindgren, the reigning world number one in shooting, is navigating a demanding dual career, excelling as both an elite athlete and a welder. Fresh off a triumphant performance at the U23 European Championships, where he clinched four gold medals, two individual and two team titles, Lindgren continues to build on his impressive trajectory.

“

It feels very, very good. It's a bit hard to grasp myself how well it's going, but I have a very good team around me. A good team I can train with, good coaches and good national captains.

His success is not new; two years prior, the 23-year-old captured an Olympic silver medal in the 10-meter air rifle event at the Paris Games. Lindgren attributes his consistent performance to a well-followed training plan and a strong support system, including his team, coaches, and national captains. "It feels very, very good. It's a bit hard to grasp myself how well it's going," he stated, emphasizing the reward of seeing his dedication translate into medals.

Balancing his athletic ambitions with professional work has always been a challenge for Lindgren. However, recent financial backing from the Swedish Olympic Committee has significantly eased this burden. The support allows him to work part-time as a welder, reducing his hours from 80-100% to 60%, with the committee compensating for the lost income. This adjustment frees up crucial time for training and recovery.

“

I can only be glad that the reward is lots of medals and successes.

"The support helps me a lot," Lindgren explained, highlighting its importance given that athletes in his sport typically do not earn significant income. "It's well-deserved because we don't earn anything at all in our sport. So, it's worth its weight in gold with these percentages they help with."

“

The support helps me a lot, because I have been able to reduce my work as a welder to 60 percent instead of 80 or 100 percent. So you could say they replace these 40 percent and then I can spend that time on training or recovery.

Lindgren described the combination of welding and elite sports as "not the easiest," requiring immense patience and routine. He has established a rhythm, working Monday to Wednesday and training in the mornings or evenings, often dedicating Thursdays to Sundays to training camps. His ultimate goal of becoming world number one, a title he recently achieved, marks a significant milestone, particularly as he believes he may be the first Swede to reach this rank in rifle shooting.

“

It's well-deserved because we don't earn anything at all in our sport. So, it's worth its weight in gold with these percentages they help with.