ESPOO. – He is really good. Everyone likes him so much.
There is no doubt about the favorite Finnish athlete of the under-23 European Athletics Championships. It’s the young superstar of the heptathlon Saga Vanninen.
One of Vanninen’s biggest fans is an eight-year-old Pearl High. A little fan from Tampere has come to follow his mother Emma Korkin with his role model on the final day of the European Youth Championship match.
In the morning, he made a quick support sign for his idol.
– I just wish him a lot of good luck, that he wins, the enthusiastic Helmi says.
Helmi enjoys ringette and football herself. In addition to them, he likes to compete in athletics competitions.
The daughter and mother have imprinted on their minds the records of Vanninen, who is also from Tampere, in the Hippo Games organized for children.
– I’m going to break his neck, Helmi sighs.
Helmi will compete in the 9-year-old category next year.
– We came to see a little model, mother laughs.
“The Next Olympic Champion”
The caps are in the European Youth Championships only on Friday. So they came just for Vanni. Also a pot thrower Silja Kosonen they are interested in performance.
What appeals to Saga Vannis?
– He has strong competitive nerves. It was seen yesterday in the ball, mother Emma Kork refers to Vanninen’s outdoor track record in the ball.
Saga Vanninen has been known in Finnish athletics for a long time as a real gold nugget. After all, he has won everything at the youth competition level so far.
In addition, in his twenties, he breaks the more than 30-year-old Finnish record set of 6,404 in the sport.
Vannen is recognized in the EC stands. When Vanninen pushes the ball or jumps long, the crowd in the main stand stands up and applauds.
Vanninen’s future is considered very bright.
– We thought that if he wins, it will be great to be there. Especially if he ever wins something bigger. My husband said that he is Finland’s next Olympic champion, says Emma Kork.
“This is wonderful!”
A good friend of Saga Vanninen and also a competitor in the Espoo 7 match Vilma Itälinna is overjoyed after the morning race at the request of two little girls.
They want from Itälinna and from the complement of the three matches No from Kyähkö autograph. You read that right, an autograph. No phone selfie!
– So this is so wonderful! It will be a nice feeling. It’s nice or what, Neea. There aren’t too many of these these days, Itälinna enthuses.
Itälinna has noticed how Vannis is often asked for a photo together or an autograph.
– Quite a lot of this revolves around Saga.
Vanninen walks by. Itälinna has something for his friend.
– With Jesse (coach Jokinen) is the phone. Are you going to take care of it?
Vanninen is unresponsive.
– He is just like that. If there’s one thing, it doesn’t listen to anything, Itälinna laughs.
Although Vanninen wants to focus above all on sports, the young star still knows how to make time for his fans.
– Yes, he will, if you ask him. He is quite sociable.
“Blue-eyed blondes”
Itälinna says that many foreign athletes want to take pictures with Finnish athletes. What is the reason?
– Maybe they think there are blue-eyed blondes, Itälinna guesses the foreigners’ thoughts.
Itälinna is also a promising young player. He understands the importance of the role of a role model.
– My dream is to be the role model that Saga is for many. I want to bring positivity to everyone.