Riku Kiri did an unimaginable trick as a porter: “He was such a giant”

Riku Kiri, 60, known for his tremendous strength, was second in the World’s Strongest Man competitions in 1996 and third in 1993 and 1994.

He won the World Cup doubles competition in 1997 together with Jouko Ahola. Kiri achieved the title of Europe’s strongest in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and was Finland’s strongest in 1988, 1993 and 1994.

Last year, Ilkka Nummisto was elected to the Hall of Fame as the first athlete.

Old competition partner and sport legend, chairman of Suomen Vahvin Mies ry, Markku Suonenvirta describes Kiri as a formidable powerhouse. In his peak years, Kiri lifted 302.5 kilograms from the bench, 440 kilograms from the squat and 400 kilograms from the deadlift. At the age of 18, he already lifted 200 kilograms in the bench press.

– After gaining perspective over the years, I can say that I have never seen a stronger man than Riku. Such idiots will not be born in the entire world for many centuries, Suonenvirta says in the press release.

– Riku was also a fierce competitor and the only competitor who never complained or complained about anything. He never wanted to know the games in advance. Just stated that he is ready as long as the rules are the same for everyone. It was boundless self-confidence that was earned through training.

The world’s strongest title was caught by a really small person a few times. For example, in France in 1993, Kiri competed with a broken metatarsal bone. The first place was taken by a fallen barrel in the power rocks, which were the last event.

– Riku was a bull-headed and uncompromising guy. On at least one World Cup trip, he even packed his own snacks, which he refueled in his hotel room, so that no stomach disease would strike. He always went full speed towards the goal. It was not spoiled with any temptations, says Suonenvirta.

Incredible trick

Sport pioneer Ilkka Kinnunen was present at the British championships in the early 1990s as Kiri’s coach, when he set a record 302.5 in the bench press.

305 kilos also rose from the chest, but then crashed into the supporting irons of the rack. The performance was so explosive that even the verifiers did not have time to participate.

– I watched in horror when Riku had to support the weight himself for seconds. Finally, he twisted the irons back into the rack himself. Although the performance was rejected, it was otherworldly. The amount of Riku’s brute strength was something completely unfathomable.

Kinnunen also worked with Kiri as a porter. The operation was effective, as Kiri once carried two men out of the restaurant at once – a partygoer by the arm.

– That performance can be considered a mere warm-up for Riku. For example, in the farm walk of the strongman competition, he had a weight of 200 kilos in both hands, Kinnunen laughs.

– However, Riku was always a very calm guy at the door. Lupskaka and a smile on her lips, not stressed about the little ones. If he went to tell the customer that it was time to go home, there were usually not many objections. He was such a giant.

The guard was asleep

Kinnunen and Suonenvirta say that the gluttony was left behind when the games started.

– That was the other Riku. The concentration could be even too much at times, when he loaded absolutely everything into the game. Riku’s name is still known around the world even today, even though he unfortunately missed the biggest title, says Kinnunen.

Reason, however, always stayed with me.

– Riku was really good at body care and warm-ups. He never just went out to tear up large weights, trucks or big rocks, says Kinnunen.

– Riku was a go-getter at the games who had total confidence in himself. In some ways it was good. Sometimes it even backfired and there were small mistakes that could have been avoided. But it was always sure that nothing was ever caught by the forces. Riku was not afraid of men or weights, says Suonenvirta.

After the Games, the boisterous nature returned. Suonenvirta remembers well, for example, the competitions in Kuusankoski, when the party atmosphere was in danger of dying down when the drinks ran out.

– Riku was almost a native in that direction and announced that he knows markets that are open 24/7. The information was also that it is a place where problems may arise.

The taxi was taken under. The plan was for Suonenvirta to do the talking and Kiri to observe from the car whether a security guard might be needed. After all, Kiri once acted as Wayne Gretzky’s security guard when the hockey legend visited Finland.

– I got the drinks without any problems. When I returned to the car, I noticed that Riku was sleeping at the side of the car.

– I said that there is an actual security guard, Suonenvirta laughs.