Two Brothers Win Strongman World Title

News from Rogaland / Stavanger over the past 48 hours: two brothers from Kopervik have been crowned world champions in strongman athletics in Istanbul, while former Stavanger mayor Sissel Knutsen Hegdal has joined Arbeiderpartiet. Norwegian authorities are also considering new weight requirements for offshore workers, and the Supreme Court has overturned three oil licences due to procedural errors.

Rogaland / Stavanger News: The Skår Brothers Win Gold and Bronze at the Strength World Championships

Knut Einar Skår (25 years old), from Kopervik, became the equipped athletic strength world champion in Istanbul on Friday. He won the 105 kg class with a total of 1067.5 kg, 15 kg more than his closest competitor. He lifted 380 kg in the deadlift and 417.5 kg in the squat (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

The title came one day after his younger brother, Ole Jonas Skår, won the bronze medal in the 93 kg class with a total of 955 kg. Ole Jonas Skår was born in 2007 and is still a first-year junior (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

Kopervik is located in the municipality of Karmøy in Rogaland county. These two World Championship podium finishes put two brothers from Kopervik on the international podium.

Politics: Sissel Knutsen Hegdal joins Arbeiderpartiet

Sissel Knutsen Hegdal has announced her membership of Arbeiderpartiet, reports RA Stavanger via NRK Rogaland / Stavanger. She previously belonged to Høyre and served as mayor of Stavanger from October 2023 to October 2024.

She resigned from her position as mayor after it was revealed that party funds had been used for private purposes (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

In a statement to NRK, she explains that she wants to contribute to developing good and safe services for residents during a period of major challenges. She believes the best results are achieved through cooperation and says she is grateful to be working alongside many competent and committed representatives of Arbeiderpartiet (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

Economy and health: a maximum weight limit for offshore workers?

In the UK, nearly 2000 offshore workers have lost weight to keep their jobs, due to a weight limit of 124 kg that came into force on 1 November this year (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

The Norwegian Health Directorate is working on proposals for new health requirements for offshore workers. The goal is to make cross-border work easier and ensure the safety of those working at sea (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

Several hundred workers started taking weight-loss medication after the announcement of the new British requirements last year, according to the BBC. Around 2200 offshore workers on the British continental shelf weighed more than 124 kg in early 2025. Their number has now fallen to under 240, according to the industry association Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger).

Oil: The Supreme Court invalidates 3 permits over procedural errors

Norway’s Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s decisions concerning 3 oil fields are invalid due to procedural errors (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger). The Local Norway reports that the decision has been described as a landmark ruling.

Environmental organisations say it has « changed Norwegian oil policy forever » (NRK Rogaland / Stavanger). The decision comes amid climate litigation and concerns permits granted by the state.

Saturday 14 November’s Rogaland / Stavanger news therefore includes this national angle.

Sources: NRK Rogaland / Stavanger, Stavanger Aftenblad, The Local Norway — Period: 13 November 2026 and 14 November 2026