Wise words for 2025’s players from a phoenix on the rise since Seoul
The striking image of a phoenix rising from the flames inked across the back of Norway’s goalkeeper was an image that resonated with many at the tournament in Korea last year. For that player, Sebastian Hedquist, it directly mirrored his life up to that point.
A devastating accident when he was fifteen had quashed any notions of a career in sport, especially his beloved football, and the long-term painkillers he was subscribed led to heroin addiction, a life on the streets – and breaking his mum’s heart. That last consequence was the moment Sebastian knew he had to turn his life around and, for two years, he fought his demons, overcame his adversity and rose from his personal ashes to represent his country at Seoul 2024.
It marked the beginning of his new life and the chance to study for his desired career in teaching after the tournament. We caught up with him this week to check in...and the future is indeed looking bright.
“I’ve just completed studies for my first year in kindergarten teaching, I’m still playing a lot of football and continuing to work out,” he confirms. “I’m doing a Bachelor’s degree course at university so it’s three years of study in total.
“University work takes up almost every day, from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. It’s not just classroom studying, though, we’re going out to kindergartens as well for practical work with the kids - I have three weeks of that right before Christmas then five weeks in the springtime.”
Does the round ball make an appearance in any of that practical work? “Oh yes,” he laughs, “When we’re in the class with the kids it’s everything active from climbing to playing football.”
He isn’t the only member of his family who has returned to studying, however – back in Seoul he also shared that his mother had also gone back to University.
“Mum is getting on quite well, too,” he adds. “She got an A for her last Master’s year and now she’s doing her third Master’s year to get the complete degree.”
Sebastian continues to turn out for the Street Soccer regional team and also plays in the first division of the Business Series, a local league in his city of Trondheim, and still sees his former national teammates.
Aside from his studies, life has changed all round for Sebastian over the last twelve months.
“When I got back to Norway after playing in Seoul, I found I’d changed in a lot of ways,” he reflects. “I was very motivated by everyone who came up to me in Korea and wanted me to keep doing good for myself. That’s been a good motivation to keep on grinding, keep on keeping myself in a sober place.”
Besides the positive vibes of being part of a team on the pitch, Sebastian has just as many important memories from those he met away from the fields of play.
“I’ve got to say, meeting with Miles [Ananda, Music Supervisor of HWC videographers Mile 44] is the thing that I’ll always remember about the tournament,” he enthuses. “Working together with him on music was a good imprint on me to keep on going, he made such a big impression on me. Since I met him, I think I’ve written around 74 new lyrics - so I’ve been keeping myself busy everywhere.”
Despite the tournament being in his homeland this year, Sebastian hasn’t seen much of the build-up as he’s kept busy in Trondheim. “Since I’m a second-year student we have to be here to help the new students, help them to get to know the city.”
He doesn’t need to see the tournament flags fluttering in the Oslo breeze, however, to keep remembering the impact that week in Seoul made.
“It was absolutely life-changing for me,” he states. “It was such a life altering experience for me to sing our national song with the flag on my chest and to be able to connect with so many different nationalities at once was amazing.
“For the players arriving to take part in the tournament this week, I would definitely tell them to go and socialise with the other countries and try to speak to as many people as they can, try to engage with everyone, play football off the field and, in general ,try to share this experience with others.”
Just one question remains, however. Has that phoenix been joined by any other significant inkings to mark the achievements in his new personal journey?
He laughs. “More tattoos – no! I’ve been planning for some but haven’t had the time or the money - and now, of course, I’m a sensible teacher!”
Story by Isobel Irvine