Angelica Bengtsson is a Swedish pole vaulter who is one of the most popular athletes in the country. She got her first win at the 2009 IAAF World Junior Championships at the age of 16. She won by a significant margin of 22 centimeters over her competitors.
Despite qualifying for the European Athletics Championships in 2010, Angélica chose to focus on the younger categories before making the leap. After several failed attempts, Angelica claimed the Swedish senior record at the 2011 Swedish Indoor Championships. At the 2019 World Championships final, Angelica set a new Swedish outdoor record by clearing 4.80 metres.
Angelica wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps in the javelin throw but opted for the pole vault
Angelica was born on July 8, 1993 to Elizete and Glenn Bengtsson. She displayed athletic talent early on and initially started out in gymnastics. Angelica also hoped to emulate her father by becoming a javelin thrower. Glenn realized that her daughter had a talent for pole vaulting, but he left it up to Angelica to choose which sport she wanted to practice. Angelica coined the motto: “He who follows in the footsteps of others will never be first,” and she decided to forge her own path to pole vaulting success.
Glenn played a crucial role in helping Angelica develop as an athlete. She writes on her site: “There, she and her sisters could practice on the very own pole vault bed built by her coach and her father Glenn Bengtsson. With her father as her coach, she developed skills according to the ‘Boardyd model’”.
Angelica claims to produce her best results when surrounded by her four sisters and their parents.
Angelica grew up in the Swedish countryside with four sisters. Despite pursuing different careers, the sisters are close and family time is precious. On June 24, 2018, Angélica posted a series of family photos of her on Facebook and attached her caption:
“Happy day today. The whole Bengtsson family together, to celebrate our birthdays… I am the happiest, having such a big and wonderful family, 4 sisters, 5 nieces/nephews and my parents.”
Angelica’s family has a major effect on Angelica’s performance. After breaking the junior world record in 2011, Angelica moved to France to work with established pole vault coaches. However, she didn’t work out and her form sank. Angelica recovered by returning home to her family and training under her father’s tutelage. She writes on her site:
“Her father, Glenn Bengtsson, has once again assumed the role of her coach and a more balanced training regimen is leading Angelica to healthy success. Surrounded by friends and family, the environment plays an important role in helping Angelica to bring out the best in her abilities”.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn