World boxing champion Eva Wahlström and her son Leon Kaislama are close. The mother is closely involved in the son’s boxing hobby, but does not want to create pressure on him.
Emma Hyuppa,
Jussi Paasi,
Sanna Pirkkalainen
When 15 years old Leon Kaislama was announced on Sunday at the end of an even final match as the Finnish champion of the 60-kilogram B-juniors in boxing, his mother, the world champion of the sport by Eva Wahlströmthe reaction was unparalleled.
– It was such a wild outburst of emotion that I didn’t know if I could make such a sound and scream. I live with it all the time and I see those pressures at home. I am so happy for the other. For a young person, that achievement is very important, Wahlström said on Thursday at Radio Suomen Urheiluilla.
After the SM gold match, mother and son celebrated the championship at home in Porvoo. At the same time, the young athlete attending elementary school had to prepare for the new school week, which he had not had time to devote a single thought to during the tournament weekend.
– Leon fetched a mud cake and ate it in his own room while doing his homework, Wahlström said.
– It was the feeling of victory, Kaislama laughed.
Mother protects from the pitfalls of boxing
Wahlström, 44, is closely involved in his son’s boxing hobby, but the main responsibility for coaching is With Miika Forström. Wahlström, who ended his career in 2020, occasionally spars with Kaislamaa in the ring, but wants to let him grow into himself in peace.
– Boxing involves not only physical but also mental dangers. For example, all those pressures and weight loss. It’s important for me to see that Leon doesn’t fall into the same traps I’ve fallen into myself. I remind you of true values and other things in life, like friends. But I’m happy that Leon gets to grow up with that sport and I’m really proud of him.
Kaislama and Wahlström describe their relationship as close. In the boxing ring, it’s easier to show your feelings to your mother than to others. Even as a teenager, Kaislama is happy to tell Wahlström about his affairs.
– He always tells me everything – or I don’t know if he tells me everything – that is on his heart. No need to wonder why it’s in that mood. He has never worried me in any way. We have good confidence, Wahlström said.
A unique style in the ring
Leon Kaislama was born in 2009, just a few months before Wahlström turned professional. Although Kaislama spent his childhood in a boxing gym, Wahlström never thought that the boy would become a boxer.
– I always said in interviews, when asked about it, that Leon will not become a boxer. Then one time I heard him banging downstairs in front of the mirror. I was surprised when he said he wanted to try boxing. For example, she danced when she was little and is quite sensitive by nature.
Wahlström noticed Kaislama’s talent when he started boxing seriously.
– Leon developed in his own way, it mixed artistic dance, rhythm and boxing. It didn’t look like boxing to me at all. I noticed that there is something new in that, and I haven’t taught him that.
In her professional career, Eva Wahlström achieved, among other things, the world championship in 2015. Leon Kaislama wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
– My goal is to one day be the best in the world, Kaislama said and listed the Olympics as a long-term goal.
As an experience expert, Wahlström knows that the journey is more important than success and wins. He is happy that Kaislama has found a community to which he feels he belongs through sports.
– I don’t want to put any kind of pressure on Leon, but if he has fun and stays healthy, I believe that everything is possible. Leon is a rare talent. He may or may not go far, Wahlström said and burst into laughter.