Krista Tervo, who was unsuccessful in the Tokyo Olympics hammer qualifier, is aiming for final places in the summer championships. A recent SE woman knows that a top score will be a dream if you try too hard.
Emma Hyyppä,
Hinni Hirvonen
Until three years ago, the idea of two Finnish representatives in the Tokyo Olympic women’s hammer throw seemed distant. At the beginning of summer 2019, the Finnish record was Mia Strömmerin 69.63 for the year 2001.
But Krista Tervo bumped the hammer in June 2019 in Jyväskylä to SE readings of 70.18, it gave a start to the sensational rise of the species in Finland.
The level rose when young Silja Kosonen singahti as a challenger during the breakthrough summer of 2020. Kosonen, who turned 19 in December, has taken turns to improve Finland’s record readings. Last year, Kosonen improved the youth world record by more than two meters to 73.43.
Now, the women’s sledge is one of the most interesting sports in domestic athletics precisely because of Tervo’s and Kosonen’s competitive position. 70 meters has become commonplace for women: Tervo, 24, has crossed the former magical limit in 13 races and Kosonen in nine.
– Silja and I have a really good setup right now. I get a lot of power and fighting spirit from it myself. We have a good mutual trick to throw farther and farther, Tervo says in a good mood at the Finnish Sports Association’s event in Helsinki.
The race sisters train together mainly in camps, but communicate their affiliations to each other on a regular basis. Tervo lives in Kotka and Kosonen in Turku.
Tervo threw the latest Finnish record in Portugal in March. The readings of 74.40 are sufficient for a clear number one in the early world statistics. By the end of last summer, the Olympic season, Tervo would have been 13th on the world list with the same result.
When asked about the SE throw, Tervo’s mouth turns into a wide smile. Before the Portuguese race, he had had the feeling for some time that a long throw was coming.
– It felt really good. Everything hit the spot in that throw, which allowed those meter numbers. Not once did I feel like I had received such a thorn last summer. I had been waiting a long time for one to come. At least the strength results have progressed somewhat and, in general, technical know-how has become established, Tervo says.
Aiming for the World Cup and European Championship finals
Tervo and Kosonen represented Finland at the Tokyo Olympics, and there will be a doubling of the competition next summer. The Finnish Sports Federation nominated the duo for the World Championships in Oregon, USA in July.
Tervo’s chances of international success will increase in the late summer, as the European Championships in Munich will not, of course, see rock-hard American throwers and many other tops. Polish legend Anita Wlodarczykin under the leadership, however, the level is also tough in the European Championship ring.
– The goal is to reach the finals in both the European Championships and the World Championships. There are opportunities for it anywhere. However, the first goal is the final. 75 meters is already warming up, now it went about close. Of course, that’s the big meter reading I’m going to get, Tervo says.
Tervo’s goal is not only to improve his results but also to consolidate his level close to his SE result from one race to another. There are still three rusks in the memory of the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers and the failure.
– Yes, it has its challenge to repeat that SE throw. The most important thing is that at least don’t leave trying to try. It turns itself into an owl. More so that you trust your own doing and go specifically to get the basic knowledge you can. That’s how those top throws come, Tervo knows.
Securing a World Cup representation at this time makes the early summer very different from what it was a year ago. Kosonen and Tervo chased the Olympic line until the last minute. Both took advantage of their last screening place, the ranking race in Vaasa, and grabbed the seats on the race machine.
– It’s a big relief when compared to last summer. At that time, we had to wait until the very last moments to get sure information about the Olympic venue. It was stressful. At least you don’t have to stress now, you can focus on what you do, Tervo says.
The most important athletics events of the summer, such as the Finnish GP series, the Paavo Nurmi Games and the World Championships and European Championships, will be shown on ‘s channels.