Nils Karlsson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nils "Mora-Nisse" Karlsson |
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Nils Karlsson with his wife Ulla-Britt
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| Full name | Nils Emanuel Karlsson | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 25 June 1917 Östnor, Sweden |
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| Died | 16 June 2012 (aged 94) Mora, Sweden |
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| Ski club | IFK Mora SK | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Nils Emanuel Karlsson (born June 25, 1917 – died June 16, 2012) was a famous Swedish cross-country skier. Most people knew him by his nickname, Mora-Nisse. He won a gold medal in the 50-kilometer race at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Mora-Nisse was also incredibly successful in the Vasaloppet, a very long ski race, which he won an amazing nine times!
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The Life of a Skiing Legend
Nils Karlsson was born near a town called Mora in Sweden. He became one of the greatest cross-country skiers of his time.
Olympic and World Championship Wins
His biggest win was the Olympic gold medal in the 50-kilometer race at the 1948 Winter Olympics. This was a huge achievement! He also earned a bronze medal in the 50-kilometer race at the 1950 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
National and International Success
Mora-Nisse won a total of 37 gold medals in Swedish national championships. Seventeen of these were in individual races, showing his incredible skill. He also won the famous Vasaloppet nine times! These wins happened in 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1953.
He also won the 50-kilometer event at the Holmenkollen ski festival twice, in 1947 and 1951. For all his success, Nils Karlsson received the Holmenkollen medal in 1952. This is a very special award in skiing. Eight years earlier, he was also given the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal, another top Swedish sports award.
Mora-Nisse's Impact on Vasaloppet
Nils Karlsson meant a lot to the Vasaloppet race. His many victories made the race very famous across Sweden. A radio commentator named Sven Jerring helped share Mora-Nisse's exciting wins with everyone listening.
After he stopped competing, Mora-Nisse continued to help with the Vasaloppet. He worked as a leader and even as the chief of the race course. His family also continued his legacy. Two of his grandchildren, Erik Eriksson and Anders Eriksson, have also done well in the Vasaloppet.
Life After Skiing
From 1954 to 1966, Nils Karlsson coached the Swedish national cross-country skiing team. Even with all his fame, he lived his whole life in his home village of Östnor, near Mora. A road in his village was even named after him while he was still alive!
He also ran a sports equipment store called "Mora-Nisse Sports." To honor him, the Mora-Nisse's Jubilee Fund was started on his 65th birthday. This fund helps support young Swedish skiers, making sure new talent can follow in his footsteps.
