Background
Hjeltnes, who was born in Øystese, has won 20 National Championships. 11 in Discus throw, in 1975-1976, 1978, 1980-1981, 1982-1984 1986, and 1988-1989 and 9 in Shot Put, in 1975-1978, and 1980-1984.
Hjeltnes, who was born in Øystese, has won 20 National Championships. 11 in Discus throw, in 1975-1976, 1978, 1980-1981, 1982-1984 1986, and 1988-1989 and 9 in Shot Put, in 1975-1978, and 1980-1984.
Pennsylvania State University.
He was ranked 2nd through 7th in the World in the Discus for twelve years from 1976-1988. He was a 4-Time Olympian in Track & Field (76, 80-boycott, 84 & 88). His best Olympic placings were two 7th places in 1976 and 1988, and a 4th place in 1984.
His best World Championship placing is 9th in 1983.
His best European Championship placing is 4th in 1986. He attended Western Maryland College, Penn State University and Brigham Young University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters from Brigham Young University. While attending Brigham Young University, he was coached by the legendary, world record holder Jay Silvester.
As a Masters Athlete, he has an All Time World ranking of 8th in the men"s 35-39 (2 kg) class. Hjeltnes coached athletes at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York from 1999 until 2013.
While coaching at United States Military Academy West Point, his athletes produced 40 Patriot League Championships, 3 National Collegiate Athletic Association All-Americans, 30 National Collegiate Athletic Association Regional Qualifiers, and 2 Academic All-Americans.
Hjeltnes was hired as the throws coach at Auburn University In 2013. Hjeltnes tested positive for anabolic steroids in 1977 and was banned from sports for one year. He was the first Norwegian ever to test positive.
Hjeltnes publicly admitted to have been doping and he also cooperated with January Hedenstad to write a book about it, called Dopet ("Doped"), published in 1979 ().