MATHILDA KARLSSON

She was born in Sri Lanka and adopted by Swedish parents when she was three months old. She grew up in Sweden and now lives in Germany. She was the first Sri Lankan Equestrian to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She competed for Sweden until 2018, and in 2019 she decided to switch her nationality so that she can represent Sri Lanka. She currently lives in Hamburg, Germany where she owns and manages her own equestrian business, Grönwohldhof. 

She Can and she is a courageous, disciplined, motivated sports woman; Mathilda Karlsson.

Share with us a summary of your personal journey?

I was born in Sri Lanka and adopted by Swedish parents as a baby. I grew up in Sweden. After I completed by studies, I migrated to Germany to live and train. I still live in Hamburg, Germany. My stables are all located in Hamburg.
 

Share with us a summary of your equestrian journey?

I started riding when I was seven years old. Initially, it was just as a hobby in a local riding school in Sweden. From day one, I fell in love with horses and knew that I would spend the rest of my life with horses in some kind of way. I never imagined that I would one day become an International Show Jumper, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would one day compete at the Olympics. However, I am the kind of person that likes to push myself to becoming a better version of myself each day. I like setting new goals annually, and pushing myself to achieve them. In 2016, I went professional and started to make a name for myself in the International sport world. In 2017, I got the biggest opportunity of my career; I was invited to be a part of a Global Champion League. This changed my professional life, and I soon realized I was good enough to train and try qualify for the Olympics. 
 

What inspired you to engage in equestrian sports?

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where both men and women compete together and there is no age barrier. I compete against people in their late teens, mid 60’s and sometimes older and even younger. It’s the passion for the sport and horses that brings us together. 
 

Why did you opt to representing Sri Lanka at the 2020 Olympics instead of Sweden? 

Originally, I never thought of changing nationality or obtaining dual citizenship elsewhere. I was already a member of the Swedish team and I was very much Swedish. However, after I visited Sri Lanka in 2017 for the first time, I fell in love with the island, her friendly, warm people and I instantly knew I had to find a way to represent Sri Lanka as well. I wanted to help promote and grow the sport in the island. Sri Lanka is an island with unlimited potential. From day one, everyone I met in the island has been very friendly and helpful. It felt so natural for me to start representing Sri Lanka. It was the best decision of my life and I have no regrets.

How did you move forward when everyone kept telling you that your suggestions or ideas won't work?

Those who know me, know that if someone tells me that I can’t do something, I will push myself to do it just to prove them wrong. I will work hard to find a way to make it happen one way or the other. I think anything is possible if you set your heart and mind to it and work hard to achieve it. 
 

When did you first find out you were adopted? 

Growing up in Sweden, almost all my friends and members of my family were tall, blonde and with blue eyes. Hence, it was never a secret that I was adopted. I enjoyed being and looking different; it opened many doors for me.
 

Share with us a bit about your childhood?

I was fortunate to grow up in a very closed knit family with two siblings; an older brother and an older sister. They were my rocks. My family is very important to me. Although, today we lead very different lives and we live away from each other, they will always remain very important to me. Growing up in Sweden as a darker skinned girl, I was thankfully never discriminated. I loved being dark-skinned and looking different to the rest. I am a person who likes to constantly meet new people and get to know them. People from different cultures, countries, religious backgrounds and so on. The world is such a wonderful place because of all these differences. 
 

How do you differentiate yourself?

I am quite confident and I have a great curiosity to learn new things and to discover more opportunities that will not only help me grow as a person but will also help me become a better person. 

Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?

My family and my supportive partner. My family always taught me that everything is possible in life and that there is a solution to every problem. My partner keeps motivating me daily. 
 

Your biggest regret?

To be honest, I don’t have any regrets in life. I believe that everything happens for a reason and life is an adventure full of lessons to be learnt. 
 

What is your biggest fear and how do you manage it?

I constantly worry that I am not good enough. Hence, I push myself to train harder and to do more. 
 

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Competing at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be? 

Don’t be afraid to fail. If at first you don’t succeed, keep on trying till you do because you eventually will.
 

What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out? 

Wanting too much too soon and taking on too many tasks all at the same time. 

Have you been harassed or discriminated against? 

No, thankfully I have been quite lucky and have never been discriminated based on my gender or the color of my skin. 

Share with us a secret no-one else knows.

Haha! I quietly celebrated my 30th birthday, three years in a row and none of my friends noticed. Hence, I remained 30 for two extra years! I loved being cheeky at each of those birthday celebrations pretending to be 30! 
 

What is the best and worst decision you've ever made?

The best decision would definitely be my choice to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics. Worse decision was probably to study Science instead of a subject related to my professional career. 
 

How do you want to be remembered one day?

I would like to be remembered as someone that helped put Sri Lanka on the global sport map and as a person who made Equestrian sport more popular in the island and world over. I also want to be remembered as a person who helped show the world how magnificent and beautiful Sri Lanka truly is; a miracle island.