The mailer, who is recovering from health problems, is a potential winner in next June’s European Championships.
– Wilma Murto, Daniel Ståhl and Sara Lappalainenconcludes Iltalehti’s athletics expert Arto Bryggare three quality performances on the opening day of the match against Sweden in Stockholm.
Let’s grab the Lappanese. He was the only athlete at the event to set a national meet record. Tonnivitonen slipped to a time of 4:09.32.
– It’s not ME speed, but a hard run and a superb performance. Next year could be a tough year for him.
The European Championships in Rome next June can be a jackpot for Porvoo, if the athlete stays healthy and reaches his SE level for the 2021 season. Scores in both 800 and 1,500 meters are realistic goals. With pole ten pull and for example of Sifan Hassan with a possible absence, a medal at 1,500 meters might be possible.
– At the European level, the situation is more hostile for Sara than in the 800 meters. Maybe he doesn’t have the skills of the top of Europe, but he can go pretty far with his skills. You have to run under four minutes, says Bryggare.
– He has an incredibly beautiful step and a ferocious hunger. Coach Ari Suhonen you have to keep a cool head, i.e. you must not get too greedy in training. There is no reason to significantly increase power, kilometers or speeds, the expert continues.
Lappalainen’s SEs are 1.59.41 and 4.02.35. With the SE result, he would be in 14th place in the 1,500 meters and 11th in the 800 meters in this season’s European statistics.
– Sara has a positive spin after all the pain. I hope he will be able to carry out the old program in good health. There is a routine and a background, so the prognosis is good.
A spiral of grief
Sara Lappalainen accelerated to victory in the 1,500-meter land race on Saturday at Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium. Jussi Saarinen
In the spring and winter of 2022, an intestinal parasite crept into the runner’s body. There was no way the uninvited guest was going to leave, and when it finally did, the mood was of course not the same.
In autumn 2022, both of Lappalainen’s Achilles tendons were operated on.
In February 2023, the Finn was in the alpine hut of the Urhea Academy in the capital region. The apartment was supposed to be set at a height equivalent to 2,000 meters above sea level, but some reindeer thumb had twisted the tricks to 3,000 meters.
Of course, Lappalainen didn’t know this, but trained normally. The result was fatal: the body did not recover and the only remedy was rest.
Spring and early summer 2023 was ruined by a stomach bug.
– The Achilles tendons are being treated. I don’t think there’s any pressure. In the future, the Alppimaja must have the correct regulations. It was an unforgivable mistake from Urhea’s team. I would think that there is enough expertise in Finland to treat stomach problems as well, Bryggare estimates.
Pious sense of style
Reetta Hurske won the 100-meter hurdles in the national competition with a time of 13.04. Jussi Saarinen
What else did you remember about the opening day of the Sweden match?
– There are quite a few holes in athletics in Sweden as well. In the men’s triple jump, no one went over 16 meters. Before, the women’s javelin had measuring lines of 60 and 65 meters, now they are 45 and 55 meters, Bryggare answers.
– I think it’s great how Reetta Hurske pay attention to the audience by thanking the 2023 season in a TV interview. It shows a great sense of style, the expert adds.
After the opening day, the Swedish men lead Finland with 104–101 points. Swedish women, on the other hand, lead with 114.5–112.5 points.
In the last ten years, the national match wins for both women and men are 9–1 for the blue and yellow.
The last time Finnish men won was in 2018 and women in 2015.