Boris Haraldsson - Naked Truth
Treningsforum.no birti viðtal við Boris á heimasíðu sinni í desember, hér er viðtalið á ensku.
When we arrived at Storefjell in the summer of 2007, to help svend Viking with his Viking Power Challenge, I was really nervous. I was about to meet all these big men who I only had read about in magazines or seen on TV.
And I was ment to boss them around on the competition day for filming and during the comp. I was very scared when I entered the lobby of the big resort.
... walking directly towards me was two giants... Denmark Strongest Man René Minkwitz and Icelands Strongest Man Boris Haraldsson.
Both giants were kind and docile, but I admit that Boris made me uncertain in the beginning. He is the kind of man who's mouth lets every thought come out. Be it sarcasm, irony or direct mockery. So it took me about an hour to actually discover that he was a great man with highly developed sense for funny anecdotes and comparisons.
When I started working on his interview a couple of weeks ago, he was Mr. Cooparation himself, and showed a rare glimpse of modesty. Here is the results of weeks of mail correspondence. Enjoy!
Name: Kristinn Óskar Haraldsson "BORIS"
Age: 28 years old
Location: Reykjavík - Iceland
Work: Personal trainer / strongman
Height: 182cm
Weight: 125kg at the moment but normally 130-135kg
Marital status: Single (can you believe it?)
Sponsor: VA Verktakar but since the Icelandic economy is the same as in Simbabwe at the moment I lost my sponsor and I think he´s going bankrupt. . . gotta love Iceland!
Club: Boris Haraldsson´s fan club. . . I´m the only member!
Merits: I don´t even know what a merit is hahaha
Tell us a little about yourself
I´m really sarcastic and i talk shit all the time to keep myself from getting bored but deep deep down I´m a pretty nice guy. I try to spend my spare time with my kids. I train at Gym80 and at my warehouse.
Five facts about you:
Mobile phone: Yes, I have one!
Dream car: One that doesn´t break down all the time like my p.o.s. car.
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Favorite drink: Water
Favorite food: Curry chicken
What made you start training like a strongman, and for how long have you trained?
I used to do powerlifting and a bit of strongman with it but then I found out that strongman is more fun both to train and compete so I switched over. . . I´ve been training for 10 years now but been training strongman for about 3-4 years.
Have you been active in other sports?
Basketball as a kid and I competed in a few 9-ball tournaments when I was working in a sports bar and spent all my time there playing pool.
What does an ordinary day in your life look like?
Get up at 7 and have breakfast with my son, take him to pre school at 8 and start personal training after that. . . train at 2 and pick my son up at 5 and spend the rest of the day with him.
What are your goals and ambitions?
My biggest goal these days is eliminate child sexual abuse in Iceland.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of strongman?
Advantage: Traveling, meeting cool people.
Disadvantage: a lot of injuries and crappy prize money
Are you satisfied with the progress you've had?
Yes and no. . . was doing pretty well before I got really bad spinal injury that´s gonna haunt me for the rest of my career
How do you train to become a powerful strongman?
Here´s my pre season training schedual:
Mondays: Olympic lifting and upper body event training
Tuesdays: Olympic lifting, endurance and technique event training
Wednesdays: Squat one week, deadlift the other
Thursdays: Gym training, presses and triceps
Fridays: Gym training, upper back and abs
Saturdays: Lower body event training
Sundays: Rest (even god took a break on Sunday!)
I do most of my gym training in sets of 5-8, except for flys and other non power excersizes which i do in sets of 10-15.
Event training i do as i would do them in a competition, same length of lanes, same weights etc.
Olympic lifting i use as a warm up for event training but every once in a while i´ll do heavy olympic lifting.
What exercises are your favourites for the following muscle groups?
Chest - Incline bench
- Shoulders: sitting barbell press
- Triceps: skull crusher
- Biceps: don´t have a favourite. . . bicep training is sissy stuff
- Back: barbell rows
- Quadriceps: squat
- Hamstrings: hamstring curls
- Calves: running around with really heavy shit
- Abs: don´t really have a favourite
How do you prepare before a competition?
Train like an animal
Which strongman exercises do you like best in the competition?
Over head press and truck pull
How do you eat to be big and strong?
07:00 oatmeal, protein and fruits
10:00 oatmeal, protein and fruits
12:00 white meat, rice, potatoes, veggies
14:00 train
17:00 oatmeal, protein and fruits
19:00 white meat, rice, veggies
22:00 pure protein shake
Do you try to gain weight for the entire year or are there periods with strickter dietting?
I do more of trying to lose weight than gain weight. . . my premium competition weight is around 130kg´s and I really struggle keeping it that low
What supplements would you recommend to others and why?
Vitamins and minerals cause you need them but nothing else cause supplements are so fu**ing expensive!
How is it possible to combine family / friends with being an competing strongman?
I have no idea but when you find out. . . please let me know!
Do you have any idols or mentors when it comes to strongman?
Jón Páll Sigmarsson of course and Bill Kazmaier cause he was an animal!
What or who motivates you?
My son. . . he´s my biggest fan
What do you think is your best performance?
Winning Icelands Strongest Man 4 times in a row
Regardless of strenght, which muscle group are you most satisfied with?
Everything you use to squat with
What is your training tips for beginners who want to become as big and strong as you?
Try to combine the most useful stuff from olympic lifting and powerlifting with your event training. . . but event training is most important
Will we ever see you back in Norway?
If someone invites me over to do a meet I´m there!
Something you want to say in the end?
Peace
On behalf of www.treningsforum.no, I thank Boris for his cooporation and patience. I also wish him good luck with all his training and competitions in the future. Hope to see you in Norway soon!
