Sören Sjösten

Sören Willy Ernfrid Sjösten (12 December 1938 – April 1999) was a Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He earned 76 caps for the Sweden national speedway team.

Life and career Sjösten was born on 12 December 1938. He won the world pairs championship in 1974 with Anders Michanek and became world team champion three times representing Sweden, in 1962, 1964 and 1970. Sjösten also appeared in six individual World Championship Finals with two bronze medals as best result. Both third places was received after losing race-off heats for silver medal, the first time to Barry Briggs and the second time to Ivan Mauger

Sjösten rode for Masarna, Vargarna and Bysarna in the Swedish leagues and for Belle Vue Aces, Wolverhampton Wolves and Bristol Bulldogs in the British League. An excellent starter, he was renowned for having a 'wild' style of riding with the rear of the bike sliding further out on the bends than is usual and was often considered rough on his opponents.

He retired after his younger brother Christer was killed in a meeting in Brisbane, Australia in 1979. He died in April 1999.

World final appearances Individual World Championship 1962 – London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 8pts 1965 – London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 9pts 1969 – London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 11pts 1970 – Wrocław, Olympic Stadium - 4th - 9pts 1971 – Gothenburg, Ullevi - 8th - 8pts 1974 – Gothenburg, Ullevi - 3rd - 11pts

World Pairs Championship 1974 – Manchester, Hyde Road (with Anders Michanek) - Winner - 28pts (14)

World Team Cup 1961 – Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Ove Fundin / Rune Sörmander / Björn Knutson / Per Tage Svensson) - 2nd - 30pts (2) 1962 – Slaný, Slaný Speedway Stadium (with Björn Knutson / Ove Fundin / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander) - Winner - 36pts (10) 1964 – Abensberg, Abensberg Stadion (with Ove Fundin / Björn Knutson / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander) - Winner - 34pts (0) 1969 – Rybnik, Rybnik Municipal Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Ove Fundin / Anders Michanek / Torbjörn Harrysson) - 4th - 12pts (2) 1970 – London, Wembley Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Ove Fundin / Anders Michanek) - Winner - 42pts (10) 1971 – Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Anders Michanek / Bernt Persson / Bengt Jansson / Leif Enecrona) - 4th - 18pts 1974 – Chorzów, Silesian Stadium (with Anders Michanek / Tommy Jansson / Christer Lofqvist) - 2nd - 31pts (10) 1975 – Norden, Motodrom Halbemond (with Anders Michanek / Tommy Jansson / Bernt Persson / Sören Karlsson) - 3rd - 17pts (1)