EC gold medalist Topi Parviainen comes from a real javelin family. See the European record thrown by Parviainen in his age group and the interview with the shocked winner in this story.
Parviainen’s record throw of 84.52 is a new age group European record for a 700 gram javelin. Throughout history, only an Argentinian has thrown a 700 gram javelin further Brian Toledo, 89.34. In his adult career, Toledo raced the 800 gram javelin with a best of 83.32.
The 15-year-old Finn was confused in the post-race interview. Parviainen improved his record by almost ten meters.
– It was a stupid throw. I don’t know what happened to it. The spear went straight and it was amazing, Parviainen said after the race.
Parviainen knew he would get a good result if he got the spear in position. Everything was successful in the record throw.
– It just went so well. That was all. I ran at full speed and all the power was there, commented Parviainen.
The medal was Parviainen’s first in the prestigious competition.
– It feels really great to go there with my friends, a few words, but enthusiastic Parviainen describes his medal.
84.52 is naturally also the Finnish record for the age group. Famous Finnish stars of recent years, for example Oliver Helander has thrown the 700 gram javelin to 79.34 meters and Tero Pitkämäki to a result of 74.56.
Oliver Helander 79.34
Tero Pitkämäki 74.56
Antti Ruuskanen 69.29
In Finland’s all-time statistics, next week, the representative of Finland at the World Championships for adults is second Toni Keränen and thirdly Teemu Wirkkala.
1. Topi Parviainen 84.52 (2022)
2. Toni Keränen 83.29 (2015)
3. Teemu Wirkkala 81.85 (2001)
4. Atte Sailola 81.14 (2017)
5. Harri Haatainen 80.22 (1995)
5. Ari Mannio 80.22 (2004)
“Let’s keep the tradition going”
15-year-old Topi Parviainen belongs to a real spear family, because his father What and his uncle Aki threw a spear. Aki Parviainen is remembered for the Finnish record, 93.09, and the World Championship gold and silver.
At the time, Mika said that he was surprised that his son was competing with results like the one mentioned above already in that season.
– The goal this season was to cross 60 meters, Mika commented to the newspaper in 2018.
According to Mika, Topi became interested in the sport when his older brother was 6–7 years old Battery excited. Father and uncle also had an influence.
– It probably came through the parents and the fact that this guy has also managed. Let’s make the tradition continue, Parviainen commented to Iltalehte.
Aki doesn’t want to be a burden
Topi already revealed in an interview at that time that he was aiming for an Olympic victory. It would be a first for the family, as Aki Parviainen missed out on medals at the Olympics.
At that time, Topi Parviainen had broken the unofficial ME result of 76.12 for 14-year-olds with a 600-gram javelin in Joensuu. Aki Parviainen reminded that the result was created in really bad conditions.
– When the weather warms up, we will start to see results. The prospects are very good, Aki Parviainen stated.
The results have really been seen.