Torkel Ravndal

Torkel Ravndal, who lived from 14 October 1936 to 14 September 2004, was a Norwegian weightlifter, powerlifter and strongman from Sandnes. He grew up in Figgjo as the youngest of four siblings, was tall and thin but fast and agile, and started training with weights in 1961. In 1962 he began training at the gym of Samson in Stavanger, and the two later toured together and held strength shows around Norway. In 1963 he moved to Denmark and lived there for five years working as an instructor at a health club. In 1965 he won his first national championship gold medal in powerlifting, having already set the Nordic record in the deadlift at 281 kilograms.