A 19-year-old guest from Vieremä ran a terrible result “coldly” in Cooper’s test, Iivo Niskanen was impressed – a rare story behind Mikko Kauppinen

Rough diamond. That word pair has carried over Sami Karjalainen ears several times in the past six months after he took charge of the runner-up Mikko Kauppinen coaching.

Kauppinen, who turned 19 in February, became aware of the sport after running 3,830 meters in Cooper’s test last autumn without systematic running training.

– I have to admit that I have a rough diamond in my hands. He has been amazed with his talent many times over the past six months. A rare incident, says Karjalainen, a coach from Iisalmi.

Vieremäläinen Kauppinen is already one of the best in its age group in Finland. In February, he won 3,000 meters of Finnish Championship gold and 800 meters of Finnish Championship bronze in the 19-year-old series in the hall.

Championship terrain on Mother’s Day in Nakkila was the sixth competition of Kauppinen’s career. Pre-favorite of Vyborg Athletes Karlos Kemppaala, increased the difference of 19-year-old men by six kilometers from the others from the very beginning. After four kilometers, Kauppinen broke away from the rest of the main group and reached Kemppaala.

In the last kilometer, Vieremän Koito’s runner struck with a violent change of rhythm and celebrated the Finnish championship with three seconds.

– How hard it was. I wouldn’t have gone any further. I would never have believed so much about myself, Kauppinen rejoiced in his victory interview in Nakkila.

Vieremä in Northern Savonia is best known Niskasen of the siblings Iivosta and Tell meso sustainability sports have already been a popular interest in a small town of 3,500 inhabitants.

Iivo Niskanen even said recently To Ilta-Sanomat (you switch to another service) having figured out which young man who ran a hard Cooper result is really his men. The Olympic winner praised Kauppi as a talented fitness enthusiast.

– It was wonderful, Kauppinen recalls the attention he received from Niskanen.

Kauppinen, who moved on to his own pleasure all his life, admits that the media’s interest in him was a confusing, yet positive experience.

For years, Kauppinen has covered his 13-kilometer school trip every day by bike or running. Applying for a guided exercise hobby had come to mind many times.

– As a child, I liked running fast and cycling. I ran a little longer on the Link, but I didn’t know I was a talented athlete. Guided practice has felt quite nice. A good coach was found, Kauppinen says.

PK, VK and MK were still completely foreign to Kauppinen a few months ago. Now basic endurance, pace endurance and maximum endurance are part of the weekly exercise program. Coach Karjalainen has also invested in the development of speed endurance during Kauppinen’s training.

According to Karjalainen, Kauppinen has proved to be an enthusiastic trainee.

– He has made great endurance bases himself. And their ability to recover from hard workouts is good. No one has intervened in the running technique. He has good sports gifts, so he has been able to correct mistakes pretty quickly, Karjalainen glows.

In February, Kauppinen ran 800 meters on indoor lines at 1.59.17 and three tons at 8.59.78. Karjalainen says that he doesn’t even know what Kauppinen’s best trip is.

– From the cash register to five tons, we will start testing. It’s exciting when he’s surprisingly fast. I have also been amazed at his resilience. Has not got that resilience killed by cycling and jogging, Karelian inches.

Kauppinen also plans to start conscription this year. He has applied to the Defense Forces Sports School in Helsinki, and if he is elected, he will join the service in October together with other summer athletes.

Kauppinen had no SM-level screens at all two days before the search ended on February 28th. Two medals from the youth Finnish Championships halls 26-27. February therefore came to an important seam.

Kauppinen, who will be graduating in the coming weeks, will also apply to the university to study mathematics. Running has made the young person feel at the top of the priority list.

– I have not planned goals, but let’s see what is possible for me. I would like to compete in the toughest possible competitions, Kauppinen says.

The Karelian wants to proceed in piloting his gold piece with moderation.

– When the snow melts from the Iisalmi field, track training begins. The spikes have been on the leg five times. No hurry to rush to track races. I think he will be running at the Kaleva Games this summer, the coach says.

Endurance running coach Tuomo Lehtinen would like to see more young people like Mikko Kauppinen join the sport.

– A very promising looking guy who has only just joined. I heard about him for the first time, like everyone else, about Cooper’s different-looking results. He has already taken the big step forward from them, Lehtinen says.

Tuomo Lehtinen and Finnish Sports Association’s endurance race coach Rami Virlander consider Kauppinen’s story quite rare today.

– It may be that in the past such stories have been more common because of the greater quantitative movement. Today, they are perhaps less common. Clearly there has been movement there in the past and there is a background in oxygen uptake. Yes, there are opportunities, Virlander says.

Tuomo Lehtinen sees no obstacle for a raw film like Kauppinen to rise to a good level.

– At least not burned out at a young age. He is constantly evolving, which is certainly truly rewarding mentally. It is important to dare to take determined steps forward, Lehtinen reflects.

The results have already attracted attention. Sustainability coaches Virlander and Lehtinen follow Kauppinen’s development with interest but moderation.

– Let the man in peace make his own decisions and we will support it. He is only at the beginning of his career and now it is important to be able to do that actual sport training and he will have healthy years. After a while, we’ll see where we’re going, Virlander says.