Elite Athletes Club
Elite athletes exist, even before the sport is fully developed in the U.S. Competitive Nordic Walking is still emerging in the United States. Yet international-level athletes already represent the country on the world stage.
A small roster, a high bar
Membership is intentionally limited and based on verified international achievements. The Elite Athletes Club documents athletes whose results meet the highest international standards, and sets a clear reference point for credibility, judging, and competitive growth nationwide.
Credibility
World-level medals exist within the U.S. athlete pool.
Leadership
NWANA is building the sport from the top down.
Standards
Technique and judging can align to a real benchmark.
Growth
Elite presence accelerates events, clubs, and regional markets.
Verified international achievements
Albert Fatikhov, World Championship Medalist
Albert Fatikhov is a World Championship medalist in competitive Nordic Walking and an active international-level athlete. His competitive record includes two World Championship medals, six Latvian Championship medals, and a successful return to regular competition in the United States through the NWANA Open Nordic Walking Series. At the 2024 World Championship in Lahti, Finland, Albert won the Silver Medal in the 4 x 5K men's relay and the Bronze Medal in the 5K individual race. During the 2026 season, he has recorded 27 victories in the NWANA Open Nordic Walking Series while competing across distances from 1K through 20K.
- Silver Medal, 4 x 5K Men's Relay, World Championship, Lahti, Finland (2024)
- Bronze Medal, 5K, World Championship, Lahti, Finland (2024)
- 6 Latvian Championship Medals: 1 Bronze in 2023 and 5 medals in 2024
- 30:58 Official 5K Competition Best, Latvian Championship, Vakarbulli (2024)
- 27 NWANA Open Series Victories, 2026 season
Current Competitive Focus: 1K, 3K and 5K. Albert continues to compete actively while focusing on speed, technique, and performance development across the shorter Nordic Walking distances.
Season statistics computed from official finalized NWANA results, as of 2026-10-13.
Tommy Aunan, World Championship Medalist
Tommy Aunan is one of the most decorated endurance athletes representing the United States on the international stage. A remarkably versatile competitor, Tommy has built an extraordinary career spanning 40 World Masters Championships, World Masters Games, and World Championships across Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon, Athletics, and Nordic Walking. In Nordic Walking, Tommy has established himself as an elite international competitor, representing the USA at three Nordic Walking World Championships. At the 2024 World Championship in Lahti, Finland, he won the Silver Medal in the 10K and the Bronze Medal in the 5K individual races. Latest Achievement, Daegu 2026: At the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Tommy added two more gold medals to his international record in the 10K and 20K Race Walk national team competitions. He is now a 9-time World Masters Athletics national team medalist, with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
- Double Gold, 10K & 20K Race Walk National Team Competitions, World Masters Athletics Championships, Daegu, South Korea, 2026
- Silver Medal, 10K Nordic Walking World Championship, Lahti, Finland, 2024
- Bronze Medal, 5K Nordic Walking World Championship, Lahti, Finland, 2024
- 9-Time World Masters Athletics Team Medalist (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze)
- 8-Time USA Masters National Racewalk Champion
- 34 USA National & Masters Medals
- Double Bronze, 5K & 20K Race Walk, World Masters Games, Sydney, Australia, 2009
- 41 World Masters Events Across Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon, Athletics, and Nordic Walking
Tommy Aunan continues to compete internationally across multiple endurance disciplines and represents an exceptional level of longevity and achievement in Masters sport.
Sven Thorslund, World Championship Medalist
Sven Thorslund is a Swedish-American Nordic walker and one of the fastest-rising athletes in North America. His disciplined, technique-driven style and exceptional endurance have positioned him as a standout competitor on the international stage.
- Silver Medal, M55 10K, Nordic Walking World Championships, Lahti, Finland (2026)
- 7th place, 5K, Nordic Walking World Championships, Lahti, Finland (2026)
- Selected for the U.S. 5K Relay Team, Lahti 2026
Training and technique. Training year-round in Miami's demanding heat and humidity, Sven focuses on cadence efficiency, upper-chain endurance, and precision of original technique — fast, consistent, and technically refined.
NWANA development pathway. Sven credits NWANA for recognizing his potential early and supporting his participation in Lahti. Their guidance played a central role in his breakthrough performance and contributed to placing the United States on the event's country medal list.
Global background. His passion for international movement is rooted in years of global adventure trekking, including expeditions in Nepal, Morocco, and Tanzania.
Sven is an active participant in the NWANA Virtual Competition Series, steadily climbing the rankings through consistent performance and disciplined technique work — engaged across both virtual and in-person formats.
Future Elite Athlete
International medals/awards required. Documentation and verification mandatory.
Know a U.S. athlete with international Nordic Walking awards?
Help us build the roster. Available for limited official invitations: sanctioned competitions; technique & performance clinics; judging & standards education; regional development day; media & promotion support.
How it works: Send request: city, date, format. NWANA confirms availability and scope. Official NWANA appearance activation.
Contact NWANA
Know a U.S. athlete with international Nordic Walking awards? Help us build the roster.
Email: info@nwaofna.org
Subject line: Elite Athlete Invitation