Kaleva Games: Toni Kuusela threw for the European Championships

Toni Kuusela collected himself after the opening throw and threw himself into the EM machine.

Kaleva Games: men’s javelin throw

1. Lassi Etelätalo 84.62

2. Toni Kuusela 84.01

3. Toni Keränen 82.52

4. Teo Takala 79.31

5. Janne Läspä 79.07

The men’s javelin race was a great conclusion to the Kaleva Games. The most talked about award, the last European Championship place, was decided between good friends.

Tons was better Toni Kuusela. First name namesake Corpuscle opened the game with 82.52 meters, but Kuusela’s answer was iron in the next round.

84.01.

– I felt that for once it went a little in that direction, the EC man grinned.

– After the qualifying, I already said that it is now a good, straightforward process. However, the first final throw was old and went straight into the sky. Fortunately, I was able to pull myself together.

The early summer was difficult for Toni Kuusela. The throw hit the spot when it was finally supposed to. Mikko Lieri / AOP

However, it was not enough until gold. History seemed to be repeating itself, when professional stretcher Lassi Etelätalo passed the others again with his last throw.

2019 in Lappeenranta, Etelätalo was closed Antti Ruuskanen on the slice of the last round.

– I was afraid of the worst again. Lassi always goes past the leader. I tried to answer with the last one, but nothing came of it, Kuusela admitted.

Cheers to Keräsen

Kuusela and Keränen, who has now taken bronze, have been training together for a long time.

– Almost the whole season has been opened up in our heads. Every time we see each other, we joke with each other. It moves both forward.

Kuusela and Toni Keränen (pictured) joke with each other whenever they see each other. Mikko Lieri/AOP

– In every training you get a good fight, when the other one is better in some area. Together we develop our weaknesses. Hasn’t gone wrestling. In that case, I would flag for myself – greetings only to Keränen, Kuusela said.

The spirit of the game was fair and received praise from both pitchers. If both throwers had failed on Sunday, the EC selection would have had to be rescheduled, looking at the overall picture.

Then Keränen would have been strong.

– After all, it’s damn great that we got a decent race for a place in the EC and something to contribute to these efforts.

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