Impairment Information |
Type of Impairment |
Limb deficiency |
Origin of Impairment |
Acquired |
Classification |
SB-LL2 |
Further Personal Information |
Family |
One child [2021] |
Residence |
Finland |
Occupation |
Athlete |
Languages |
English, Finnish |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He first tried snowboarding in 1999, and took up Para snowboard in 2012. |
Why this sport? |
After his accident he was inspired to return to the sport after watching a video of US Para snowboarder Evan Strong performing tricks. Strong's left leg had also been amputated following a motorcycle accident. "The video lit a flame inside me. I thought that if he was able to do it, so could I." |
Club / Team |
Rukan Lumilautailijat: Finland |
Name of coach |
Par Sundqvist [national]; Juha Haukkala [national]; Olli Cajan [strength and conditioning] |
Senior International Debut |
Year |
2013 |
Competing for |
Finland |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
The Sledgehammer (paralympic.org, 18 Nov 2016) |
Hobbies |
Mountain biking, hiking in the woods, fishing. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2022) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning a gold medal in adaptive snowboard cross at the 2016 Winter X Games in Aspen, CO, United States of America, and claiming gold at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2022) |
Most influential person in career |
Coach Mikko Wendelin. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2022) |
Hero / Idol |
His mother. (Athlete, 02 Mar 2022) |
Injuries |
In August 2020 he suffered a broken collarbone while mountain biking. He underwent surgery and was out of action for a month. (yle.fi, 25 Aug 2020)
In March 2020 he suffered what was described as a 'lower body injury' and missed the final World Cup event in Hafjell, Norway. (yle.fi, 11 Mar 2020)
He sustained an injury to his right arm while competing at the 2019 World Cup event in La Molina, Spain. He underwent surgery and was unable to compete at the 2019 World Championships in Pyha, Finland. (paralympic.org, 28 Mar 2019) |
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs |
"I always do things the same way before the race. I listen to the same songs, and I tell the same bad jokes to the coach." (hs.fi, 12 Mar 2016) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Love the sport, not medals." (Athlete, 02 Mar 2022) |
Awards and honours |
He was flag bearer for Finland at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. He had carried out the same role at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. (pyeongchang2018.com, 09 Mar 2018; paralympic.org, 16 Mar 2014)
He received the Snowboard Spectacle of the Year award at the 2016 Spine X Awards in Finland. (Instagram profile, 11 Jan 2021) |
Milestones |
He became the first Finnish snowboarder to win gold at the Paralympic Winter Games when he triumphed in snowboard cross at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang. (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Dec 2018; paralympic.org, 21 Jun 2018) |
Impairment |
In 2009 his left leg was amputated below the knee following a motorcycle accident. (Athlete, 10 Mar 2018; hs.fi, 12 Mar 2016) |
Other information |
TRIBUTE TO COACH
Mikko Wendelin, who had been his coach for six years, passed away in November 2019. "I'm so deeply heartbroken and can't believe this at all. I've been crying so much that there's no tears left anymore. I don't really have words now but trying to go forward step by step. It was an unbelievable journey with [Wendelin] and [he is] always in my heart wherever I go. When the gate drops I know [he] will be there with me." (Facebook page, 11 Jan 2021) |
World Championships |
| Rank |
Year |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2014/2015 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 3 |
2014/2015 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
1:26.95 |
| 1 |
2016/2017 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 1 |
2016/2017 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
1:07.82 |
| 5 |
2021/2022 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 1 |
2021/2022 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
Paralympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Event |
Result |
| 11 |
2014 |
Snowboardcross - Standing |
1:59.56 |
| 1 |
2018 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 3 |
2018 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
49.51 |
| 1 |
2022 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 2 |
2022 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
1:09.98 |
World Cup Finals |
| Rank |
Year |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2015/2016 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 1 |
2015/2016 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 2 |
2015/2016 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
54.62 |
| 1 |
2016/2017 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 2 |
2016/2017 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
|
| 5 |
2017/2018 |
Snowboard Cross - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
1:03.80 |
| 5 |
2017/2018 |
Banked Slalom - Lower Limb 2 Impaired |
1:16.85 |
