At PicSil we are delighted to welcome Björgvin Karl Gudmundsson , better known as BKG , into our family of athletes. The Icelandic crossfitter already has an interesting sports career behind him, despite his youth. Do you want to know him better?

Who is BKG, Björgvin Karl Gudmundsson?

I'm 26 years old and I'm from a small town in the southwest of Iceland called Stokkseyri. I have always been very active. I played different sports in the past, playing soccer for 14 years and coaching gymnastics for 9 years, while competing in both. Few people know that I was a skater for 6 years I think and that I won 2 competitions. I had a promising future but other sports crossed my path and I left skateboarding when I was about 14 or 15 years old.

What is a training day in your life like?

Pretty simple. I eat, I train, I lead about 2 hours of classes on average and I train again.

How did you get started in CrossFit? What does it have that makes it so special?

My brother introduced me to CrossFit in 2012 and from my first WOD, which was the seven minutes of burpees at the Open 2012, there was no turning back. I would say it's the feeling of giving everything you have that makes it so special to me.

What is your favorite benchmark or WOD? And the one you hate the most?

My favorite has always been Amanda: 9-7-5 from Squat Snatch and Muscle-ups. And I don't dislike any WOD although I'm not a big fan of pistols.

26 years, 5 CrossFit Games, third in 2015 and fifth in 2017 and 2018. What is the key to that performance?

It's about giving your best every day and enjoying what you do. Always be focused on your goal and don't leave anything behind.

This year, Greg Glassman announced big changes to the CrossFit Games season: Regionals out and official events appear as a new way to go to Madison. What do you think of these changes? What official events will you participate in?

I haven't really decided which official events I will participate in but I will be in Dubai and, of course, I will do the Opens. As for the changes, I think it's kind of exciting and we just have to wait and see how it all works out, but it sure is exciting.

You are Icelandic and that in the CrossFit world is synonymous with excellence. What is the secret of Icelandic athletes being so good?

It's hard to say. I think Icelanders are very competitive and always have been. We have very well-equipped gyms and good trainers; but the most important thing is that we are very strong mentally. A strong mind takes you very far.

Your favorite dottir?

Annie Thórisdóttir

You are a new PICSIL athlete. What do you like most about PicSil? ;)

I may be a new Picsil athlete but I have been using their products for almost 3 years. Their products are resistant and pleasant to use, without a doubt the best handles and jump ropes you can find. PicSil is also a great company with great people.

What is your goal for the 2019 Games?

My goal is always to do better than the previous year!

How do you prepare for the new season?

My training hasn't changed much but I always try to stay focused inside and outside the gym with the goal of being better today than yesterday. I am training hard and generally feeling very good for this season.