Verneri Suhonen knew for a long time that something was wrong with his body. The diagnosis was still a shock.
Verneri Suhonen’s season was interrupted by heart problems. Pasi Liesimaa
- National team skier Verneri Suhonen tried to ignore the chest pain.
- The heartache put a young promise on a race break that still continues.
- The skier has found something new to do during the race break and has been nicknamed the “poor man’s JVG”.
– I stared at the roof in shock. The doctor asked “were you upset?” I replied that at least a little.
National team skier Verneri Suhonen had long thought that all was not well. On January 4, the sad feeling was confirmed.
Only 25-year-old skier found fluid in his heart bag. That meant the season was only four races long.
– The doctor stated that all sports will stop for a while. The shock quickly turned into a small relief that fortunately a cause was found for the ailments.
Suhonen had suffered from mystical health problems since the autumn. First, there was chest pain during the exercises.
– I missed the symptoms. It was easy to fool yourself into doing nothing here. I thought some muscle was stuck.
Studies did not find a cause for chest pain. Suhonen treated himself in physiotherapy.
In the first races of the winter, the back also started to tremble. The results were not as desired, as Suhonen qualified for the Davos and Dresden sprints.
The last rivet came when a national team skier competed after Christmas in a harsh frost.
– It felt like something was rotting. I contacted the doctor and said everything was not right.
Suhonen was 20th in Ruka’s sprint in November. Pasi Liesimaa
A small but impressive amount of fluid was found in Suhonen’s heart bag. The doctor prescribed a course of medication and a total break from the sport.
The skier is still on the road.
Suhonen was out of skiing throughout January and February. He is currently allowed to do light skiing, but the race break will continue until early April.
– I have had to be patient. I could hardly train at all. In early March, I started jogging. I have tried to do 2-3 hours of cross-country skiing lightly. I can do it well.
“Poor Man’s JVG”
Iltalehti was following Verneri Suhonen’s (right) training under the guidance of coach Ville Oksanen in November. PASSI FLAME
The goal of Suhonen’s season was to get to the Beijing Winter Olympics. However, he knows that the place would have been far away even with his own results.
During the break, Suhonen has worked as a ski teacher. He traveled all over Finland in the bread of his ski brand.
– I went skiing for small children. It was a rewarding job. It was fun to see the joy of young children.
– It was a reminder of where I once started and how the joy of skiing is part of doing. I have been a professional for a few years. Skiing is now more oriented towards work.
Suhonen toured his video blog with a photographer in Hollola, Rovaniemi, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki and Vantaa. The ferocious trip took place during the week.
– One guy gave us the nickname JVG of a poor man. In the evening you train, the night in the hotel and in the morning the next place, Suhonen laughs, referring to the rap duo.
Suhonen has also toured domestic competitions to help athletes. He has made content for his friends on social media, lubricated his skis and helped with the maintenance booth.
– I’m a ubiquitous planer. I do what is asked or commanded.
The story continues after the picture.
Verneri Suhonen is the Finnish Sprint Medalist. Jussi Saarinen
Back in January, watching the skiing competitions from the home couch felt bad. Its comical passion for the species has come back.
Now the mind is sunny. The family has been a support and sound of reason in Suhonen’s daily life.
– They’ve stunned me when I say I could go training a bit. They say there is no hurry in life.
– I am the type who, despite the circumstances, is able to enjoy life and everyday life. I haven’t laid the curtains on the bottom of the bed.
The weather does not hurt
Verneri Suhonen enjoys returning to the track. Pasi Liesimaa
Heart problems were the first significant injury in Suhonen’s career. It has taught me to put things into perspective.
– After the winter without skiing, the bad weather on the jog does not necessarily hurt so much. This has taught me to put up with even the toughest things. I appreciate the health and the fact that I wake up in the morning with good mood.
Suhonen will not have time to rehabilitate in the Ruka Finnish Cup or the Rovaniemi Finnish Championships. He plans to train again in the spring so that the start of the next training season is not as difficult.
– It is easy to make an effort from the bottom up. Enthusiasm is enough.
FACTS
Verneri Suhonen, 25 years old:
– World Cup debut in Ruka in 2016. Eight times on a personal trip with mc points, always in a sprint.
– Best World Cup ranking in the 10th Ulricehamn Free Sprint in February 2021.
– Skiing in the 2017 World Championships in traditional sprint for fifth.
– Double Sprint Championship Silver Medalist (2019, 2020).
– No experience at the Olympics or World Cup.