When Dagur Kári Olafsson made Icelandic gymnastics history at last fall’s World Championships in Jakarta as his country’s first world all-around finalist, he launched into a brighter, wider spotlight and the fame to which he is calmly adapting.

Olafsson ranked an impressive fourth at the 2025 Icelandic Sportsperson of the Year awards held January 3 at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, in the poll won by weightlifter Eygló Fanndal Sturludóttir. Joining Olafsson in the top 10, his Gerpla Sportsclub female teammate Hildur Maja Gudmundsdottir finished ninth in the voting.

Olafsson’s recent accolades are all the most astounding based on the fact that he competed on only one apparatus at the 2023 Worlds in Antwerp and placed 49th all-around in qualifications at last spring’s European Championships in Leipzig. He credits his burst onto the global scene in Jakarta to the meticulous training plan that  he and his coaches – brothers and former world championships competitors Róbert Kristmannsson and Viktor Kristmannsson – are endeavoring at Gerpla Sportsclub in Kópavogur, just south of the capital.

In this International Gymnast Online interview, Olafsson shares his perspectives on his historic feat in Jakarta, his newfound popularity and his ambitious pursuit of a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

IGO: To what do you attribute your history-making success in Jakarta?

DKO: I would attribute my success in Jakarta to a lot of consistent training and good preparations leading up to the competition. I also competed in several international competitions last year which helped me prepare for competing in Jakarta. I think staying calm during the competition played a big role for me as I had no big expectations, except to do my best and have a good time.  

IGO: At the 2023 world championships you competed on only one apparatus, pommel horse. Two years later you made it into the world all-around final. How did you build your all-around program over the past two years, so you could contend for a spot among the top 24 in Jakarta?

DKO: The plan at the 2023 world championship was always to do all apparatus. However during the warm-up leading up to the competition I injured my back, which caused me to have to withdraw from every apparatus except pommel horse. To be able to compete on pommel horse I also had to adjust my routine at the last minute due to the injury. I have therefore always trained as an all-around gymnast and just continued doing that even though my strongest apparatus are still pommel horse and parallel bars.

IGO: How surprised were you, and how surprised do you feel other people were, about your achievement in Jakarta?

DKO: I think I and everyone else was very surprised at the results, as this was not something that had ever happened before for an Icelandic gymnast. My coaches and I were always aiming to reach an all-around final at an international competition, but we didn‘t expect it to happen first on such a big stage.

IGO: The fact that two gymnasts ranked among the top nine at the Sportsperson of the Year awards indicates that your and Hildur Maja’s achievements in gymnastics are being recognized far beyond the sport of gymnastics. What do you feel your nomination signifies to Icelandic gymnastics, and to you personally?

DKO: Personally for me its a huge honor and motivation that encourages me to continue working hard and keep improving. I think it signifies that gymnastics in Iceland is becoming more mainstream and hopefully getting the recognition it deserves. I also hope my nomination can inspire young Icelandic gymnasts to pursue their goals and believe in themselves. 

IGO: What do view as the main challenges or obstacles that Icelandic gymnasts face as they try to reach the top international level?

DKO: For gymnasts in Iceland the main challenge is getting funding and sponsorships, which can make it harder to pursue a career in gymnastics. Most of the gymnast are either studying in college or working alongside training, which can be very challenging since gymnasts spend a lot of time in training. 

IGO: What do you feel your national program could change to help stimulate an international ascent for your team?

DKO: From my own experience I believe that competing internationally in the lead-up to major competitions makes a big difference. Therefore I think our program could maybe benefit from competing more often in international competitions. The more often we compete at high level, the more confident and prepared we become as a team. 

IGO: Based on your performance in Jakarta, and looking ahead towards Los Angeles 2028, what improvements do you want to make to keep you in the all-around final at major competitions over the next three years?

DKO: I want to keep improving my difficulty, especially on weak apparatus for me like rings. But most of all I want to be more confident and consistent in competitions, and execute clean routines that look effortless. Hopefully reaching an all-around final has made me more confident in future competitions and will allow me to perform even better.

IGO: Building on your 2025 success, what program have you and your coaches developed for 2026, as a stepping stone towards the 2028 Olympics?

DKO: The program we have for 2026 is to do even more routines than we did last year before competitions, to be as prepared as possible for whatever may happen in competition. Because of my success in Jakarta I have also more support than ever from a sports science team that can help my body and mind stay in good shape.

IGO: On which apparatuses do your your coaches train you, and what is your training schedule?

DKO: Róbert and Viktor coach me on all apparatus but usually only one of them works with me at a time, unless the entire team is at the same apparatus. The hours I train vary considerably between seasons, but right now I am training 23 hours a week and planning to increase that to 25-27 hours a week, as I aim to finish college this year and will have more time to train. In addition to this, a lot of hours go to recovery like sauna sessions and cold plunges.

IGO: How are you managing to stay level-headed amidst the attention you have been receiving from the national media, and how comfortable are you as a new idol in Icelandic gymnastics? 

DKO: I tend to stay level-headed by nature, despite the media attention I have been receiving. I think being a new idol in Icelandic gymnastics is something I have to get used to. On one hand it is slightly out of my comfort zone but on the other hand I am extremely honored to be getting the attention and support that I have now.

International Gymnast Online’s other features on Icelandic gymnastics include: