Minja Korhonen, the super promise of the joint, appears naturally in front of the TV cameras. The young top athlete’s long-term goal is to compete in the Olympics.
Siilinjärvi resident Minja Korhonen is the combined comet of Finland.
16-year-old Korhonen competed in the World Cup in Oberstdorf, Germany Pippi Longstocking with a hairstyle. After a successful hill race, he performed dance moves naturally in front of the cameras.
Finnish mountain men of yesteryear are remembered for their rigid image. The smile was for several jumpers, like Janne Ahonen and Matti to Hautamäkia completely foreign concept.
Now Korhonen tells about the secrets of his natural release. The idea for Peppi Longstocking laces was born the night before the race day by another combined athlete Heta Hirvonen with.
– It was thought together that such a rapture could be stopped, he says.
If you don’t see the picture, look at it from here.
The commentator was impressed
Korhonen says that he has long wanted to bring fun and relaxation to the games.
– I kind of want to give the impression that you’re not going to compete so seriously. However, the point is to have fun. Let’s keep sport as sport, and not overperform.
– And of course, if you can make a little smile at the games, that’s pretty awesome too, he continues.
The Personal Hairstyle was by no means the first trick that Korhosen has seen.
– In last season’s team competition, we had face painting. Small diamonds and other bling bling have been found in the summer GP races. Let’s see if something new and wonderful is invented in the future.
Narrator of Yle combined Mikko Hannula impressed About Korhonen’s essence last weekend.
– The external output is such that you have to give praise to the teachers in Pohjois-Savoo. The English language and presentation skills are well under control, Hannula said on Yle’s TV broadcast.
Korhonen is delighted by Hannula’s praise.
– It’s really nice that it’s conveyed through the screen. I feel that I am a positive and cheerful person. That’s the image I want to give to the outside of myself.
I aimed far
One of Korhonen’s biggest dreams is to compete in the Olympics. However, combined is not on the program for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. In that respect, Korhonen’s goal is postponed.
– It would be great if it was combined again in the program of the 2030 Winter Olympics, Korhonen hopes.
However, the youngster has another path in mind for the next Olympics. He sees the possibility that he could compete in ski jumping.
– If the jump starts going and otherwise stays healthy, I wouldn’t see it as impossible. That is, if Finland has enough places for athletes to go there.
– It would be a really great opportunity if you could take advantage of it. Of course, there is still time, but we will keep the card completely open for now, he says.
The guys are having fun
Korhonen started sports high school in Kuopio at the end of last summer. According to him, balancing elite sports and going to school creates challenges from time to time.
– When you are away from school for a longer period of time, you have to work harder than usual to keep up, he admits.
The top athlete’s schoolmates and friends can stand by him.
– After all, you don’t even necessarily notice that there are long periods of absence. But you always hear that “now Minjak is back at school too”.
– My friends still have a lot of fun on trips to competitions and are understanding that I’m not seen at school every day, says Korhonen.
Despite the long trips to competitions, Korhonen does not feel that he has missed out on the fun of his youth. Vice versa.
– Sees the world and gets opportunities that maybe a normal person my age wouldn’t get to experience. You get to travel and get to know different people. It’s a really good addition in this sport.
– Of course, there are periods when I am in Finland for longer. It’s nice to see family and friends then, he says.
Korhonen enjoys his life as a top athlete. PDO
I aimed far
Minja Korhonen has competed in the Combined World Cup since December 2022, when she was only 15 years old.
The current winter season has brought the young talent even better positions. Korhonen achieved his first podium finish in December at the French Ramsau competition, where he finished third.
In December, he finished fifth twice and sixth once in other World Cup competitions. Korhonen is currently fifth in the overall standings of the Cup.
– I have been very satisfied with the success, says Korhonen.
Last Sunday in Oberstdorf, Germany, Korhonen ended up in his lowest ranking of the season so far, when he was ninth.
The harsh freezing conditions in Finland made Korhonen’s training difficult at the beginning of the year, but now he is better prepared for the situation.
– It has gotten better to the normal rhythm, even though the frosts are still quite hard. Now maybe we know how to prepare a little better and react if symptoms of fatigue appear. And we know how to lighten up before we go on the next trip.
For the rest of the season, Korhose will miss several World Cup competitions. Korhonen participates in the World Junior Championships and the Olympic Games, where he aims for medal positions. PDO