Finland’s spearhead got into the same team with Patrik Laine – “You have to get income”

– Farce after farce. Hupi seems to be far away from what he is doing, European champion of javelin throw under 23 years old Topias Laine account on his Instagram account last summer.

The update was a frustration release. The last season of the Finnish javelin was ruined due to two rib injuries. The second of the injuries came at the very beginning of the season.

The difficulties were visible on the field: The youngster never threw more than 78 meters.

– The start of the season was delayed, and very quickly after the operation we moved on to competition throwing. I didn’t get anywhere near the level I wanted. It was a shame, Laine says now.

Big disappointment hit Joensuu at the Kaleva Games. With a dream throw, Laine would have had the chance to reach the European Championships in Munich, but the pole carried a meager 72.66 meters.

After the race, the aforementioned update came. Laine marked Mäkkäri or McDonald’s fast food restaurant as its location.

– It was a funny thing. I think I updated Mäkkäri after the race, he laughs now.

To NHL Laine’s team

Laine often poses on social media with a can in her hand.

The 21-year-old javelin hope has managed to get a very important help for the individual athlete – a big sponsor.

Laine advertises Nocco, which produces functional soft drinks, whose collaboration team includes, for example, NHL hockey players Patrick Laine, Kaapo Kako and Rasmus Ristolainen.

– Sponsors are of course important. They help me to be able to play sports professionally. You have to get income from something. It’s not always that easy for an individual athlete, says Topias Laine.

Laine shares her news on social media, but not overly actively. For him, social media is something between the obligatory evil and natural updating.

– It doesn’t feel terribly forced, but I don’t know if I’m the person for whom it would be the most natural of all. It is clear that social media is a useful tool for professional work.

– Being able to play sports professionally is often not just about the sport itself in individual sports. Collaborations and social media play a big role.

A tough goal

This season, Laine’s eyes are on the under-23 European Championship. He is also eyeing the adult World Cup team.

The World Cup limit is a tough 85.20, while Laine’s own record is 81.87 thrown in the summer of 2021. The young promise’s primary plan is to compete a lot and collect ranking points.

Still, there are still obstacles ahead. The World Cup places are more certain to be secured in advance Lassi Etelätalo, Oliver Helander and Toni Kuusela. Neither Toni Kerä cannot be counted out of battle.

– It is very likely that there are more than three of us eligible for selection. Then we will fight among the Finns, who will get to the games, says Laine.

Laina is motivated and saddened by the tight competitive situation.

– It is unfortunate to know that in other countries it is easier for the team to get to the games.

– It certainly encourages everyone to be able to perform even better when they have to compete within Finland. Hopefully the end result is that we have a tough team in the games.

Gold to Finland

The first of the season’s main goals, the under-23 European Championships, will come in July in Espoo. Laine will defend his 2021 championship.

– The clear main goal is to get gold. I have stayed pretty well intact, so the training season has been intact as well. The situation is good, he believes.

Laine, who received tips from Lassi Etelätalo, wants to stabilize her result level at 80 meters in the summer and improve her own record. So far, the longest throw of the season has carried 76.99 meters.

– You can see how many meters you go over 80.