Lena Berntsson

Who is Lena Berntsson?

Lena Berntsson is a Swedish athlete who has competed internationally in both weightlifting and track and field. She lifts in the 53 kg weight category in weightlifting and on the track she specialises in short sprinting events, particularly the 60 metres.

She started her sporting career as a 60 metres specialist, recording a personal best of 7.44 seconds in 2000 and improving it to 7.42 seconds the following year. She suffered a knee injury in 2002 and during this time her sister, Annika Berntsson, introduced her to the sport of weighlifting. She underwent a significant operation in 2005, having tendon surgery in both knees, and she did not return to full fitness until 2007.

She was the 2007 Swedish champion in the 100 m, the 2008 national champion in the 100 metres hurdles, and she did a 100 and 200 metres double at the 2009 Swedish championships. She had similar success indoors, becoming the Swedish indoor champion over 60 m and the 60 metres hurdles in 2008, and retaining her 60 m title the following year.