Jonathan Hellvig and David Åhman, Beach volleyball
Age: 21
Jonathan Hellvig and David Åhman shocked the beach volleyball world when they first knocked out the Norwegian duo Anders Mol and Christian Sörum, the reigning Olympic, WC and EC champions, in the semi-finals of the EC, and then took home the gold.
Did you think it could be such a successful season?
- Not so good, we didn't think so.
We had trained well and knew we were in good shape and started the season very well there in Turkey where we managed to win our first world tour at that level, says David Åhman.
Then Jonathan was injured.
To come back and play the EC right after the injury, then we never thought we would go all the way to the gold.
What will be the next goal?
- The Olympic qualifying period begins next year.
From January 1, every result you make counts towards the Olympic qualification.
Now our big goal is to get to Paris in 2024, says Jonathan Hellvig.
Clip: The European Championship gold medalists explain the successful duo's unique attacking play
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EC gold medalist in beach volleyball David Åhman explains the successful duo's unique attacking game
Lynn Grant, Golf
Age: 23
Linn Grant has had a successful season since she made the step from amateur to professional in the late summer of 2021. She took home the entire European Tour and also became the first woman ever to take a tour victory on the men's European Tour when she won the Scandinavian mixed at Tylösand this summer.
- I have a pretty good distance from what I do.
When I'm not playing golf, I can really put the clubs aside and focus on other things and be present even outside of golf.
And I think it also rubs off on how I am on the golf course.
A bogey or double bogey, I can easily shake it off, she tells SVT Sport.
Clip: Who is Linn Grant
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Who is Linn Grant?
Photo: Bildbyrån
Hanna Aronsson Elfman Alpine
Age: 19
Hanna Aronson Elfman made a serious breakthrough in the slalom competition in Sestriere.
She was in 16th place after the first run – 2.14 seconds behind.
Then she struck with a second race's best time by far and came fourth, 35 hundredths off the podium.
Her best result before was a ninth place.
- I have never seen anything like it.
It reminds of when Anja Pärson won Olympic gold on the same hill in 2006, said SVT's expert Pernilla Wiberg after the race.
Cut: Pernilla Wiberg's tribute after the super race
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Hanna Aronsson Elfman is compared to Anja Pärson.
Photo: TT News Agency
Maja Stark, Golf
Age: 23
Although Maja Stark had a nice fall in 2021, her big breakthrough also came this year.
Along with friend Linn Grant, they have dominated the European Tour, claiming victory in the final event at Alferini Golf in Spain.
- I probably had a little idea when we started playing during the year.
We both started strong so that we would be up there.
But the fact that it would be about just the two of us is exciting, said Maja Stark before the decision of the European Tour against Linn Grant, to SVT Sport.
Clip: Maja Stark on finding balance in elite sports
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“That if anything is depressing”
Isak Hien, Soccer
Age: 23
Before this season, Isak Hien had played twelve games in the Superettan and five in the Allsvenskan in his career.
Sixteen more matches were required in the Allsvenskan and six in European games.
Then Isak Hien was sold to Hellas Verona in Serie A, and later also made his debut in the national team, where he made four appearances during the year.
In Italy, the physical centre-back has also impressed greatly during the autumn.
- It has gone so fast that you haven't had time to land.
I had just got used to playing in Djurgården and then there was a move abroad and then you have to get used to playing in Italy and now you are here, he told SVT Sport before the national team debut.
Clip: Isak Hien: always been a dream to play in the national team
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Isak Hien.
Photo: Bildbyrån
Tilda Månsson, Triathlon
Age: 18
Tilda Månsson has taken the triathlon world by storm.
In June, she won JVM gold in Canada.
And in just her second World Cup competition as a senior, she made a big splash and took home the competition in Bergen, Norway.
- I did not expect this.
I came to see and learn, she told SVT Sport after the race.
Former Olympic gold medalist Lisa Nordén pays tribute to Månsson.
- If she can go out in the lead in the run, she has every chance of a medal, in any championship, she says.
Clip: The super talent Tilda Månsson – a triathlete with high goals
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Tilda Månsson.
Photo: SVT/World triathlon
Carl Bengtström, Athletics
Age: 22
Carl Bengtström had his big breakthrough when he took bronze at the indoor WC in the 400 meters in March and broke the Swedish record.
- I thought all day yesterday that a medal is possible, but the Swedish record is really good so it feels extremely nice to be able to push for it as well, he said after the medal to SVT Sport.
In May, he then broke a new personal record in his regular distance 400 meter hurdles, in the Diamond League in Eugene at 48.52.
The EC in August was a disappointment when he went out in the semi-finals, but he will clearly be someone to keep an eye on in the future.
Cut: WC bronze to Carl Bengtström
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Carl Bengtström Photo: Bildbyrån
Frida Westman, Ski jumping
Age: 21
Frida Westman started the year by becoming historic when, with her 16th place, she became the first Swedish female ski jumper to compete in the Olympics.
In November, the next scalp came when she came third in the World Cup competition in Poland's Wisla.
It was the first time in 30 years that a Swede finished on the podium.
- I almost can't believe it.
It feels very fun, she said after third place.
Unfortunately, Westman injured his knee during the competition, but has undergone surgery and is now aiming for the WC in March.
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Frida Westman.
Photo: Viaplay/TT Nyhetsbyrån
Tyra Axnér, Handball
Age: 20
Tyra Axnér plays everyday in the Danish Nyköbing Falster, but broke through with a bang when she entered the match against Denmark in the EC.
After playing a total of two minutes earlier in the championship, she scored a whopping nine goals in the second half, playing as if in a trance.
- I have followed Swedish national team handball for many years.
I have not seen such a big breakthrough as today.
I've never seen anything like it.
All you have to do is lift your hat and say "welcome to world handball", said SVT's expert Magnus Grahn after the match.
Clip: Tyra Axnér: "Has grown up questioning"
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Tyra Axnér: "Has grown up questioning"