Over the years, the Norwegian people have been served several reality shows with tough competitions and sporty people.
TV 2’s new program still stands out well from “Master of Masters”, «Kompani Lauritzen» and «71 Degrees North». In «Norway’s Fittest», ten pensioners between the ages of 70 and 80 will compete for the title «Norway’s fittest pensioner».
– Had some prejudice
The gang has now moved into a holiday colony on Filtvet outside Drammen. Here they will live together, and participate in various physical and challenging competitions.
Program director Erik Solbakken (37) tells Dagbladet that not much consideration has been given to the age of the participants when it comes to the competitions.
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– We have decided to thin them quite a lot, they have asked for that themselves as well. They have already been up in a 30 meter mast even though more than half are afraid of heights. There is practically blood, sweat and tears.
Nils Harald Moe (75)
THE FITNESS PERFORMANCE: Nils Harald Moe participates in the reality series «Norway’s fittest». Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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The retired associate professor Nils Harald from Tromsø started with fitness five years ago when he turned 70 years old.
– Then we line up in a pair of trousers, then we turn brown and then we stand on the stage there and do the best we can, he tells Dagbladet, and tells that he is the oldest in the country who participates in fitness competitions.
COMPETITING: Nils Harald competes in fitness, and had to face a competition in Hamar to participate in the program. Photo: Private
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The 75-year-old’s entry into the reality world started with what he calls a “bragging video”.
– I’m in contact with someone who does crossfit in the USA. Then we send bragging videos to each other. I took what is called “pull up” with 30 kilos in my belt, and then I managed it seven times, he explains, and continues:
– Then I sent this to the USA and thought «yes!». This was then picked up in Oslo by those who take care of this, and then I got a phone call if I wanted to join, and of course I want to join! This is fun!
Morten Kristiansen (71)
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNER: The 71-year-old has participated in several ski races. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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For 71-year-old Morten, “Norway’s Funniest” is no game. He still has one weakness, according to himself.
The 71-year-old is involved in winning, and his strongest card is fitness, he tells Dagbladet. The Oslo man has several medals from cross-country skiing, and otherwise he trains by running, cycling and roller skiing.
– Has the same BMI as Donald Trump
He hopes “Norway’s Funniest” will be a door to another reality show: “71 Degrees North”.
In addition to exercising, Morten eats healthy, and then it is usually salmon that goes in. But in the morning there is a specific sweet that applies.
– I sleep over breakfast, and when it’s half past nine, I take a biscuit and a half muffin. It belongs in the morning, that muffin.
Mariann Stenbakk (77)
THE RUNNING QUEEN FROM MOSS: Mariann Stenbakk is originally from Kirkenes, but lives in Moss. There she is called the running queen. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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There is no doubt about what Mariann’s strength is in «Norway’s fittest». In Moss, where she lives, she has been christened “The Running Queen”.
She has many medals for running competitions both at home and abroad, and has become Norwegian champion in running 260 times.
– I’m there to win, but I’ll see how far I get! There are many tough competitors here you see!
Linda Verde (72)
ORIENTATION: Linda Verde has been orienteering since she was a teenager. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Linda from Sandefjord is a former county councilor in Buskerud. This lively lady has run orienteering for many years and can point to both NM medals and royal trophies.
The 72-year-old has been running orienteering since his teens, and was then on the national team. Several participants mention Linda’s name when asked who will be their biggest competitor.
– It is perfectly fine that they fear me as a competitor, but the result can be something completely different, she says to Dagbladet.
Rolf Smaadal (75)
THE BOXER: Rolf Smaadal is a former boxer, and today he works with driving school children. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Rolf is a former boxer and still trains boxing every day. He is affiliated with Ski martial arts club where he trains both young and old in boxing. When Rolf is not boxing, he drives school children to and from school.
– Now I am almost 75 years old, so if I want to experience something in life then I have to hang on to this!
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Despite his good form, Rolf admits that it is not just healthy food that counts.
– I’m not that keen on bran and that. I’m having a party and smoking, laughs the 75-year-old.
– I love a party!
Kirsti Nordbyhaug Engh (73)
JAZZ FITNESS: For Kirsti Nordbyhaug Engh, it is jazz fitness that counts. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Kirsti from Hvaler enjoys her retirement life at Hvaler with her husband and dog Tiko. She has been a fitness trainer, and has run several gyms, including at Kjelsås, for 28 years.
Although the 73-year-old today is as fit as a few, the joy of training has not always been present.
Breaking record: – Absolutely wild
– I did not start training until I was 28 years old, because then I started with jazz gym. Suddenly I was at home with a small child, and we had TV at the time too, 48 years ago! In black and white.
Then it was down to the playpen with the kid and on with the old gym suit. And the rest is history.
Mahindra Kumar (73)
YOGA: Mahinder Kumar’s passion is yoga and meditation. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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It was Mahinder’s daughter who persuaded him to join the program. The 73-year-old is a sporty, positive and fun-loving man, and during the pandemic, Mahinder really opened his eyes to yoga and meditation.
Usually he gets up at half past five in the morning to do yoga with his wife with a guru over Zoom.
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He hopes more “homemakers” can be inspired to exercise.
– When you look at and see “oh, that lady is 77 years old and that man is 74, and they are so strong”, it motivates. Then you want to do something, and not sit on the chair and be square.
Bjørg Kittelsen (68)
TABLE TENNIS: Bjørg Kittelsen has played table tennis all year. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Bjørg has worked for NRK behind the camera for almost 50 years before she retired. She actively plays table tennis, and has played since she started at NRK as a 20-year-old.
Today she plays in a table tennis club, and will now compete on the “wrong side of the camera”, according to herself.
– When we get there (the competitions. Journ, note), the competitive instinct looks in like just a beating. Everyone tries everything we can. So it’s quick to get tipped off the stick in one direction or another, she tells Dagbladet.
Inge Hansen (75)
THE HANDBALL CAPTAIN: Inge Hansen shares “Norway’s fittest” for the experience. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Inge is a former national team player in handball, and was captain when Norway came in ninth place during the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
The 75-year-old has a professional life behind him as a top manager, and has, among other things, been CEO of Aker Kvaerner. Several important choices have been made there, but it may be to get Statoil on the stock exchange that is on his list of goals in working life.
– Was surprised
In handball, Inge has competed in teams, and he says that it is unusual to have to compete on your own.
Despite tough challenges, the pensioner does not dread the competitions. He has also not looked like any competitors.
– I’m going to have a good time, me!
Ingrid Tuko (74)
THE STOMACH DANCER: Ingrid Tuko’s great passion is dance, especially belly dancing and folk dancing. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Ingrid Tuko, 74 years old from Hamar, is a dance instructor and has been doing this for large parts of her life. Now she holds dance classes for the elderly with her husband.
“Norges Sprekeste” is not the 74-year-old’s first TV appearance. She has in fact participated in “Norwegian Talents” with belly dancing a few years ago, and been an extra on “The Farm”.
She agreed to the program with the impression that it would be play, and admits that she had to be persuaded.
– Now I hope there will be some dancing! Either folk dance or senior dance or line dance!
