karlsen competed in one of the 1996 world's strongest man qualifying heats and narrowly missed qualifying for the finals. in the 1997 world's strongest man contest, karlsen qualified for his first of 7 consecutive finals from 1997, 1999-2004 (did not compete in 1998). karlsen was leading the finals on points, but during the warm-up for the squat event, he tore his hamstring and had to withdraw from the rest of the contest. karlsen returned in 1999, finishing in third place, and finished in second place in 2000. karlsen finally became victorious at the 2001 world's strongest man competition in victoria falls, zambia.