Martti Puumalainen was sure of his championship after the draw. You don’t get prize money for gold.
Martti Puumalainen won the European judo championship over 100 kilograms on Sunday after defeating Georgia Guram Tushishvilin. However, you can’t make money with EC gold.
– There is no prize money for the European championship. I don’t know if anything will come from the sports association, says Puumalainen.
Puumalainen is the first Finnish judo EC medalist in 30 years. The Finnish Judo Federation is planning some kind of celebrations, but has not decided on a possible gold bonus.
The Union’s budget is tight.
– The Judo Federation has put all possible money into the athletes being able to go to the games. In such a situation, we have to think about how we pay attention. The matter is still under discussion, but there probably won’t be any separate payments, because the subsidies are already at their maximum, the Judo Association’s coaching manager Otto Favén says.
Martti Puumalainen won gold in Montpellier, France. PDO
The Judo Federation supports its top athletes in competition travel expenses. Financial support varies from a few thousand euros to around 15,000 euros. Top athletes mainly receive the biggest support.
– The Judo Federation has put 60,000 euros of its own money into the athletes of the top group. Marti’s financial situation in sports is really good, says Favén.
Puumalainen receives individual support and Olympic Solidarity support from the Finnish Olympic Committee. Suomalaištähti has a civilian job in Santahamina as a non-commissioned officer in sports for the Defense Forces.
In judo, the amount of prize money varies dramatically between competitions. The judoka who won the world championship at this year’s World Championships received 20,800 euros and his coach 5,200 euros. The judoka who won the Masters tournament in August was paid 4,800 euros and the coach 1,200 euros.
“I was absolutely sure”
Martti Puumalainen works in Santahamina as a sports non-commissioned officer of the Defense Forces. Miia Sirén
The Puumainen’s championship came in style. Georgia’s Tushishvili was close to the gold, but Puumalainen tied the match seven seconds before the end.
– When I got the equalizer, I nodded to my coach. I was completely sure that this would come to me, Puumalainen reveals.
The Finn decided the win in overtime.
– It is hard to understand that I am the European champion. There is nothing else to say, Puumalainen expressed.
– I’ve been trying to look at the congratulations and reply to them, but I haven’t really had time. The phone keeps beeping for a new notification. It will probably take a week to look through them.
The championship was celebrated in Montpellier, France with a group of supporters from Finland. Puumalainen shares his appreciation to the fans.
– We were sitting with them in the evening. Maybe I got just the boost I needed from the supporters to make it to the finals and win. It was great to be able to share a moment with the supporters.
The performances of the rest of the Finnish team brought credit to the final. Luukas Saha previously took seventh place. Saha was the first Finnish man in 20 years to reach the top eight at the European Championships.
– The initial matches had gone so well that I knew I was in good shape. All that was needed was to go to the match and do what you do best, says Puumalainen.
Before the final, the Finn was seventh in the world rankings and third in the Olympic rankings. There are still other parties ahead.
– Small parties must be held in Finland. Not this week, but next week.