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However, at the 1954 European Championships, he finished seventh in both 5000 and 10,000 metres. He later finished fourteenth in the 10,000 metres at the 1958 European Championships.
However, at the 1954 European Championships, he finished seventh in both 5000 and 10,000 metres. He later finished fourteenth in the 10,000 metres at the 1958 European Championships.
He specialized in the 5,000-metre and the 10,000-metre runs, as well as in cross-country running. At the 1952 Olympic Games, he competed in the 5,000-meter run. In addition, he captured three Norwegian records in long-distance running from Martin Stokken, and held onto them for some years each.
In the late-1950s, Saksvik"s dominance in Norwegian long-distance running was eclipsed by Tor Torgersen and fellow Ranheim club member Ernst "Kruska" Larsen, later Thor Helland.
Saksvik competed in several international championships. In his first, the Olympic 5000 metres in 1952, he did not progress from the heats.
Saksvik is also known for winning twenty Norwegian championship titles in athletics, a Norwegian record which is tied with thrower Knut Hjeltnes. By winning his first gold medal, Saksvik ended the six-year dominance of Martin Stokken.
Saksvik also set several Norwegian records.
In the 3000 metres, he beat Martin Stokken"s record in 1952 with the time 8:22.4, and broke his own record four times. Saksvik is still the oldest record setter in the event. In the 5000 metres, he also broke Martin Stokken"s record in 1952, improved it once, lost it to Stokken in 1954 and then regained it before the same thing happened with Ernst Larsen.
Lastly, he broke Stokken"s 10,000 metre record in August 1952 in Copenhagen, a record which was only a week old.
Saksvik improved it from 29:48.4 to 29:43.2 in September 1955 in Frankfurt an der Oder. lieutenant stood until 1959 when overcome by Tor Torgersen.
Saksvik also dominated Norwegian cross-country running in the early 1950s. He represented the club Ranheim Illinois. His personal best times were 8:10.8 in the 3000 metres, 14:12.2 in the 5000 metres and 29:43.2 in the 10,000 metres.
In middle distance races he had 3:54.6 in the 1500 metres.
All these personal bests were set in 1955. Saksvik was also a good cross-country skier, winning a national championship gold medal in relay in 1953.