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.[1] She suffered a knee injury in 2002 and during this time her sister, Annika Berntsson, introduced her to the sport of weightlifting.[2] She underwent a significant operation in 2005, having tendon surgery in both knees, and she did not return to full fitness until 2007.[3]