Niko Anttola opens up about having suffered from lung problems. On Saturday, he defeated Iivo Niskanen.
Niko Anttola became a skiing hero last year by anchoring the Finnish men to the World Championship silver in Planica. The sports legend threw more water into the mill Petter Northugwho predicted that a young Finn would win the adult competition medal in 2025.
This season, however, Anttola has been far from the top and the limelight.
– The beginning season was not the easiest. There have been challenges with the lungs. It has limited the going a bit. I’m not going to speculate further, says Anttola.
The situation was already revealed in November. At the World Cup in Ruka, Anttola was 36th in the traditional top ten and 70th in the free 20 kilometers.
– It was definitely not what I expected from myself, he regrets.
Anttola took a training break and returned to the games at a lower level, i.e. in the Scandinavia Cup. There, the best ranking of the promise was 30th – from the traditional ten in Vuokatti and from the traditional sprint in Otepää.
However, on Saturday, the best result of the season took place at the Vantaa Skiing Championships, when Anttola won the men’s 20 km traditional race in the Championship silver after a month’s break.
Niko Anttola won the SM silver. Pasi Liesimaa
Anttola lost the Finnish champion Cross mat for Hakola 25.8 seconds, but left behind the national team members, among others Iivo Niskanen and Remi Lindholm. Anttola fought for silver Lauri Lepistön with, but ultimately defeated Kouvola’s man by a good six seconds.
– My goal was to fight for medal positions. Maybe I won’t, when Iivo and Rise are so tough. I knew it would be difficult to beat them, says Anttola.
– It was the best going of the season. It’s good that it seems to be going in a better direction now.
Niskanen started the journey with a straight shot.
– Certainly, before the race, everyone speculates about the track and whether it’s worth going with a hold or a flat push. It was certainly not such a simple choice.
Keep your head up
Anttola has suffered from lung problems. Pasi Liesimaa
Anttola’s coach is his father Marko Anttola. The young promise says that he was able to train quite well despite his health problems.
The content of the training has not been changed dramatically since last season. Adversity has not deterred me.
– He has kept his head together quite well. Every day I’ve worked so that when things work, I can hit hard.
Anttola does not want to think about Northug’s statement from last spring and the expectations of the skiing public.
– I haven’t thought about them. I just focus on what I do every day. Go ahead with a cool head.
Next week, the Finn will return to a familiar place, i.e. Planica, where he will compete in the under-23 World Championships. Last season, Anttola won the youth world championship in the 10 km intermediate start race.
Niko Anttola won the World Cup medal with the Finnish team last year. PASI LEISMA