Kläbo Approaches Björgen in the All-Time WM Rankings

All-Time World Championship Ranking: Kläbo Not at the Top

With six gold medals in Trondheim and a total of 15 titles: Norway's cross-country star is on a record chase.

King of Trondheim: Johannes Hösflot Kläbo

© AFP/SID/Jonathan NACKSTRAND

Johannes Hösflot Kläbo of Norway has dominated at his home World Championships in Trondheim, winning all six of his races and becoming the most successful male participant in Nordic Ski Championships' history with a total of 15 titles. He surpassed the record held by Russian skier Elena Välbe, who previously won five golds in Trondheim in 1997.

In the all-time rankings, only his compatriot Marit Björgen remains ahead of Kläbo with 18 titles, a mark that the only 28-year-old skier could potentially reach in Falun in two years or in Lahti in 2029. Therese Johaug, another Norwegian star, managed to secure three silvers and one bronze in Trondheim, but missed out on her 15th gold.

The all-time best list for the World Championships is as follows: 1. Marit Björgen (LL/Norway/2003-2017) 18 5 3 2. Johannes Hösflot Kläbo (LL/Norway/2017-) 15 2 1 3. Therese Johaug (LL/Norway/2007-) 14 5 4 4. Elena Välbe (LL/USSR/Russia/1989-1997) 14 3 0 5. Petter Northug (LL/Norway/2007-2015) 13 3 0 6. Larissa Lasutina (LL/USSR/Russia/1989-2001) 11 3 2 7. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NK/Norway/2019-) 11 3 1 8. Björn Dählie (LL/Norway/1991-1999) 9 5 3 9. Galina Kulakova (LL/USSR/1968-1982) 9 4 4 10. Sixten Jernberg (LL/Sweden/1954-1964) 8 3 4 11. Alewtina Koltschina (LL/USSR/1956-1968) 8 2 3 12. Thomas Morgenstern (SP/Austria/2005-2013) 8 2 1 13. Eric Frenzel (NK/Germany/2009-2023) 7 8 3 14. Johannes Rydzek (NK/Germany/2011-) 7 6 1 15. Raissa Smetanina (LL/USSR/1974-1991) 7 5 4 16. Gunde Svan (LL/Sweden/1985-1991) 7 3 1 17. Katharina Althaus (SP/Germany/2015-) 7 1 2

Note: The world governing body FIS counts Olympic medals from 1928 to 1980 as World Championship medals, which are included in these totals.