Tórshavn, Faroe Islands August 18, 2025: Today, the International Functional Fitness Federation (iF3) announced its recognition of the Føroya Styrkisamband as the national governing body for competitive functional fitness in the Faroe Islands.
Heini Hátún, President of the Føroya Styrkisamband, announced, “Føroya Styrkisamband, established in 2019 has grown rapidly and achieved international recognition through participation in international competitions and through international memberships within weightlifting, powerlifting and kettlebell.
The iF3 recognition will greatly further vitalize our development efforts, in terms of recruitment, outreach and participation. Functional fitness movements are fundamental in general health, as basis for other specialized strength sports (weightlifting, powerlifting, kettlebell etc.), and in sports in general (rowing, handball etc.). Functional fitness is a new fascinating sport that is highly accessible for the broader public and will surely broaden our membership base significantly.”
He went on to explain that, “finally we are able to send Faroese athletes to compete internationally under the Faroese flag. Already in 2025 our athletes will compete in the Masters World Championships in Australia.”
Athletes from the Faroe Islands will now be eligible to attend iF3 international events. Their first opportunities to compete will be at the iF3 European Championships next month as well as the World Championships and Masters World Championships later in the fall and winter. More information about the work of the Føroya Styrkisamband is available at www.fss.fo.
Hátún expressed his excitement about the future saying. ”We thank the iF3 deeply for this recognition. With this milestone, we have a direct reach into the broad environments in the school system and within sports in general to inspire to give the broad masses access to a healthy, community-based sport that spans across traditional boundaries. Functional Fitness will play an important part in diversifying the training in other traditional sports, such as for example competition rowing. Not the least is this great motivation for our youth, to strive for international excellence in a fascinating new diverse sport.”
Gretchen Kittelberger, President of the International Functional Fitness Federation, commented, “The Faroe Islands have been working tirelessly for years to establish themselves as an independent sporting country within the Olympic Movement. We are glad to be able to honor that work and recognize them as an independent National Federation member of the iF3. We look forward to seeing their athletes compete under the Faroese flag.”
