– I have never been a natural talent in sports.
Norwegian champion Daniel Werner Nilsson says it as if it were a given, but it’s impossible to see it in him – as he pushes one weight plate after another onto the bar and goes for a squat.
As a child, he was small and skinny, had long hair, dressed nicely, liked pink – and dreaded gym class.
Now he is in his late teens, at the top of Norway in two sports, and always has something pink in his gym bag.
– I was always chosen last, especially in gym class. The girls were often chosen before me, because the boys didn’t want to lose to them, Nilsson continues.
WITH GRANDPARENTS: Daniel pictured as a 10-year-old. – At that time, the trophy meant nothing to me, he says.
– Exclusion, prejudice, harm and doubt
NRK meets him in the school’s weight room, where he doesn’t stand out from the other students in any way. Nevertheless, Daniel describes himself as a boy who has always been different.
– I have had to pave my own path through exclusion, prejudice, harm and doubt – both from myself and from people who have been close to me.
He says that growing up he enjoyed being with female friends as much as with male friends, that he has always had an attraction to pink, and that he has had no need to act like the other boys.
– I’ve never been one to love gaming or playing football. I liked being in motion, but not necessarily to win. It was more important to me to have fun, he describes.
His father, who has followed him closely throughout his upbringing, has never tried to change his son’s expression or interests.
– I’ve only supported him. He’s strong-minded, and that’s one of his biggest advantages. I believe in daring to be different and follow your own passion, says dad Jørgen Nilsson.
RUSS TIME: Daniel skipped the russet time. Instead, he “rolled” with his dad on a bike.
Kept favorite color hidden
The father is not present when his son goes after the Norwegian National Championship gold medal in functional fitness in Stavanger this week.
But what is in place is at least one pink item in Daniel’s gym bag.
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Ever since he was little, the “girly color” pink was a favorite, but he didn’t dare show it to his friends.
The family was safe, and on his 12th birthday he dressed in pink at the family gathering. He did the same on his 19th birthday this May:
Today, color has great importance.
– It has become a symbol of strength and courage. Of daring to be different, and standing up for what you believe in, even when it goes against other people’s expectations, says the 19-year-old.
– Wearing pink is also my attempt to stand up for my younger self, and be the person he needed and looked up to.
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Because there is no doubt that the path to sporting success has been demanding.
– I have gained many supporters of my success now, but several of them lost faith along the way. I myself have had doubts. Nevertheless, I have clung to the belief and dream that if it is possible for someone, it is possible for me too.
See what keeps him motivated:
See what keeps him motivated:
- Alem Zebic / NRK
Daniel Werner Nilsson’s driving force
To keep focus and motivation up, Daniel has created two of his own mantras:
Marianne Kvamme Amengual / NRK
1:
“Me vs. me” – a reminder that the biggest competitor is yourself, and the doubt that you are not good enough, strong enough, smart enough.
NRK
2:
“Chase” – to chase after giving your absolute best in a given situation, to get the result you deserve.
Daniel Werner Nilsson’s driving force
To keep focus and motivation up, Daniel has created two of his own mantras:
1:
“Me vs. me” – a reminder that the biggest competitor is yourself, and the doubt that you are not good enough, strong enough, smart enough.
2:
“Chasing” – to strive to give one’s absolute best in a given situation, to get the result one deserves.
Want to be good at something
It was golf that first caught Daniel’s interest. He was introduced to the sport by his grandfather, and it gave him a goal: to become good at something – for the first time.
It was golf that first caught Daniel’s interest. He was introduced to the sport by his grandfather, and it gave him a goal: to become good at something – for the first time.
ALL PINK: Daniel in all pink pictured after the final day of the 2025 Dubai Junior Desert Classic. He knew he had to finish second or better to earn a spot on the World Amateur Rankings (WAGR), which he has been chasing for several years. He played in his favorite color and achieved his goal.
Later he discovered functional fitness, and was fascinated by the variety and intensity of the sport. Now he trains at a high level and competes both nationally and internationally.
Functional fitness
- A sport where athletes are tested on functional physical skills. The main exercise is a “medley” where elements from weightlifting, powerlifting, kettlebell sports, gymnastics, athletics, triathlon and bodyweight training are used. The focus is on the work performed, not on style or appearance.
The Norwegian Championships in Stavanger are next on the agenda. There he will defend his Norwegian Championships title together with his best friend Sebastian Wiik in the pairs competition.
GOLD DUO: Nilsson and Wiik compete together.
The sports talent is sure that being an outsider has made him stronger.
– It has made me well equipped to face adversity – to face adversity alone, he says, before adding:
– I have not been able to give certain people who have been close to me the attention and love they deserve. That is one of the things that has been most demanding for me on this journey.
Moving to the USA
The 19-year-old is the reigning Norwegian champion in functional fitness. However, it is golf that he will devote most of his time to in the coming years. Daniel was discovered by a talent scout during a tournament, and now he has received a scholarship and is going to college in the USA.
– I guess I finally came to the conclusion that I don’t want to regret not taking up such an offer. I’m really going to focus on what means the most to me, which is training.
FOLLOWING THE DREAM: Daniel moves to the USA to play college golf.
He receives full support from his father, which leads Daniel to point out that he would never have gotten to where he is now without the support of those around him.
– The key to my success has been the people around me, and the wholehearted belief that if I give it my all, I can achieve exactly what I want. My team in both functional fitness, golf and family – the amazing people around me – are without a doubt my greatest achievement. None of this would be possible without them, concludes the 19-year-old.