For Yle’s expert, Ilona Mononen’s EC silver meant getting a haircut on TV.
Janne Ukonmaanaho’s hair was cut. Tomi Natri / AOP
Ilona Mononen won the EC silver in the under-23 cross-country race on Sunday. It was six kilometers. The silver medal went to Yle’s expert For Janne Ukonmaanaho hair.
Editor of Yle Riku Salminen revealed on Sunday that Ukonmaanaho had believed very strongly in Mononen’s European championship before the competition.
– Today, when you came to work, you said that Ilona Mononen will take the European youth championship today. If you don’t take it, they say your hair will fall out, Salminen said in Yle Urheilustudio and wrapped Ukonmaanaho in a hairdresser’s cape.
– That’s what I thought I would say. The everyday life of such a family has been a bit busy. The hair has grown. It’s a good thing to clean up, among other things Raitanen’s top Ukonmaanaho, who works as a coach, said.
Salminen immediately started cutting Ukonmaanaho’s hair with scissors.
– You cut big slices, Ukonmaanaho said startled.
During the haircut, Salminen asked questions about Mononen’s race and next year’s European Championships. Ukonmaanaho answered calmly until the reporter took out the hair clipper.
The machine seemed to stop at times.
– Oh my god, you’re going bald! Ukonmaanaho improved.
– Don’t worry, Salminen reassured.
Mäkäräinen refused
Kaisa Mäkäräinen did not want her hair to change. Matti Matikainen / AOP
There was no bald hairstyle, because Ukonmaanaho still had plenty of hair left on his head.
Salminen also asked eagerly Kaisa from Mäkäräinendoes the biathlon world champion miss cleaning the house.
– I don’t miss you especially! Mäkäräinen answered with a laugh.
The last few seasons have been going strong for Mono. Last season, he clocked the Finnish record of 9:21.02 in the 3,000-meter hurdles at the World Championships in Athletics. He was sixth in the 2024 European Championships on the same trip.
The summer 2026 European Championships will be contested in Birmingham.