Cross-country: Edvin Anger: “I used to be ashamed of my weight”

Swedish cross-country skier Edvin Anger says he used to be ashamed of his weight and at times dieted to fit in. Now, he considers his size a strength rather than a weakness.

Anger, who is 193 cm tall, weighed 100.2 kg before a summer 10 km running race, in which he clocked 31:37—an eye-catching result that drew attention. “It was a sign that it was something extreme, something very, very good,” he says, adding that he enjoys challenging norms and proving that you can be a top skier without weighing 75–80 kg.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, Anger believes he performs best a few kilograms lighter. “One kilo here or there doesn’t matter much, but five kilos more or less can make a big difference,” he explains. His target for the season is around 95 kg, which corresponds to approximately 7–8% body fat. Any further reduction would risk losing too much in other areas.

He reflects on his younger years growing up in Hedemora, when he felt pressure about his weight and sometimes slimmed down simply to report a lower number. With greater confidence today, he says he has turned what once felt like a weakness into an advantage.