Talented Larsen Still Adjusting to New Kentucky Home

Kentucky rifle freshman Henrik Larsen has experienced many new things as he moved from Mysen, Norway to Lexington. But during his move to his new Kentucky home, he didn’t leave behind his confidence and his talent.

Larsen grew up in a rural community, so adjusting to a city the size of Lexington has been a big task.

“I grew up in a small town, 5,000 people live there,” Larsen said. “It takes me like eight minutes to go through the city. Here, it’s like 30,000 students in the same area. The campus is huge, it’s like three times bigger than my city. Everything is enormous compared to what I’m used to at home.”

In addition to the size of Kentucky’s campus, Larsen has had to adjust to American society. He is becoming familiar with the southern hospitality, the food, and even Walmart. 

“It’s definitely a huge difference, the culture is different,” Larsen said. “In Norway, we don’t have Walmart. That’s something that’s strange.”

But the people at UK have made Larsen feel right at home.

“I find people friendly, I can definitely see that it’s a southern state,” he said. “But I’m used to it, I grew up in the countryside for my first 12 years. There were 100 people on my street and it was six kilometers from our city. Then, I moved into the city. I grew up with people that are the same way as here. You’re driving trucks and you’re hillbillies and rednecks and stuff like that. We have those in Norway as well.”

Although, coming to America was a shift in lifestyle, Larsen credits UK rifle coach Harry Mullins with making him feel welcome.

“I was talking to other schools, but Coach Mullins was the only person that made me feel welcome,” Larsen said. “He was more enthusiastic. It really felt like home when I was over here for a visit. They really wanted me to be here, not only for my shooting, but as a person. It felt like home. I like it here.”

As for Mullins, he’s excited to have a shooter with Larsen’s credentials on the UK team.

“I think he makes a great addition to the Kentucky family,” Mullins said. “With his skillsets, I think he can achieve all of the things he wants to do in this sport and in life because of his passion.”

Larsen’s early talent required a particular mindset for the sport which has been key to his many achievements. Growing up, he had no idea that shooting was in his blood. 

“I started off when I was 11, and my grandfather and my father didn’t tell me that they had also been shooters,” Larsen said. “They wanted me to find my own sport, and I chose shooting. My father is the Nordic champion. It ended up that my whole family were shooters, and I didn’t know that before I started to shoot.” 

Larsen’s father, Henning Larsen, taught his son many aspects of the sport, including the mental side.

“My father went to coaching school, where you learned to change your mindset,” the younger Larsen said. “We worked a lot with that and my results started to get better.”

Larsen has represented Norway in the European and World Championships. He relished the opportunity to be in the company of Europe’s best shooters.

“My first goal when I started was to go to the European Championship and I achieved my goal and went to Moscow for the European Championships,” he said. “That feeling to be with the best, to see Olympic champions and world champions, it gave me motivation to be one of the best.” 

And Larsen knows the feeling of being rewarded for his hard work.

“I’ve been to every competition for four years representing Norway for European Championships and World Championships,” Larsen said. “When I’m training 600 or 700 hours a year, that feeling when you’re standing on the podium and you hear your national anthem, it gives you motivation to continue.”

While shooting in college, Larsen’s ultimate goal for the team and individually is to win the title at the NCAA championships. Larsen’s goal to average 1190 would be among the best in the country. And he has confidence that he can pull off that feat.

“I didn’t come 5,500 miles to get second (place),” Larsen said.

Larsen has his eyes on the 2020 Olympics, and if he qualifies, he would be the youngest participant on the Norwegian team. 

For now, Larsen will continue to adapt to his new surroundings and culture. And his confidence and talent will only help his cause both on and off the range.