Men’s national team orienteer Olli Ojanaho, who won World Orienteering Youth medals in the 2010s, participates in the planning of his sister’s coaching.
Eeva-Liina Ojanaho succeeded almost perfectly in the cross-country trips of the Junior World Championships in Portugal at the weekend.
Only 17-year-old Ojanaho won a medal in every distance at the 20-year-old Games: silver in the long distance, bronze in the middle distance and relay.
Ojanaho, who is in his second year at Ounasvaara sports high school, still hadn’t fully grasped his achievement on Wednesday.
– I didn’t expect it to go so well at all. Feeling a little more incredible. I’m sick of cool.
Especially in the relay, Ojanaho showed tremendous energy. Rovaniemeläinen lifted Finland from ninth place to a medal in the anchor section. There were a couple of small mistakes in the individual races, but the performances were balanced and the running speed was enough for podium positions.
According to Ojanaho, the minimization of mistakes was the reason for the rain of medals.
– Skill and consistency are my strengths. I’m not afraid if it’s hard. It’s more of a good thing if the terrain is technically difficult, because I like the skill side and I know I’m strong in it.
Historic success
The World Youth Championships in Portugal were a success for Finland. A total of seven medals were obtained from the Games. The last time I reached the same number of medals was in 2002.
Youth national team coach Arttu Syrjäläinen according to the team, the competitions started strongly right away, which fueled the belief in success. Ditch skin and Touko Seppä took bronze from the opening race in the middle distance.
– There wasn’t much left to worry about or bet on the barrel from the games. The athletes were able to give their best. The team’s feeling was relaxed, the team spirit was strong and everyone had a good time, which made great performances possible.
The terrains are suitable for athletes and Finland was second in the medal table after the overwhelming Sweden.
Ran his last year in the youth series Elisa Mattila won gold in the sprint. According to the original plan, the sprint trips took place in July. Country trips were postponed to November due to the heat.
Touko Seppä, who won two individual bronzes and a relay silver, will also move to the general series next season. However, according to Syrjäläinen, the future of the youth national team looks good.
The coach praised not only Ojanaho but also the 17-year-olds For Silva Kemp and For Elli Punto.
– Especially on the girls’ side, there is a really large and excellent team. We had three 17-year-old juniors on the girls’ side, although the upper age limit for the Junior World Championships is 20.
Gold, Elisa Mattila, sprint
Silver, Eeva-Liina Ojanaho, long journey
Silver, Aaro Ojala-Akseli Virtanen-Touko Seppä, message
Bronze, Elsa Ankelo-Salla Isoherranen, Eeva-Liina Ojanaho, message
Bronze, Touko Seppä, long journey
Bronze, Touko Seppä, middle distance
Bronze, Eeva-Liina-Ojanaho, middle distance
Big brother as a role model
Eeva-Liina Ojanaho has not had to look for role models from far away. Big brother Ollie25, between 2014 and 2017 won a total of six gold, silver and two bronze medals at the World Youth Championships.
This season, Olli has established himself among the top orienteers of the Finnish men’s national team. Big brother, representing Helsinki Suunnistai, was fourth in the middle distance and sixth in the long distance of the European Championships. He also came fourth in the final race of the World Cup.
– When I was younger, I followed when Olli was at the Junior World Championships. I thought wow, that would be really cool.
Big brother’s example has shown Eeva-Liina what success requires.
– It has really given me a lot of motivation. I want something like that too and I know it’s really possible.
At Ojanaho’s home, exercise and sports have always been encouraged. Mikko-father and Olli guide the main lines of Eeva-Liina’s training and the whole family enjoys orienteering.
At Lapland’s Sports Academy, Ojanaho is supported by running and strength coaches.
Ojanaho wants to develop into as good an athlete as he can. He still has three years to compete at the Junior World Championship level.
– The big dream is to have that silver become a world championship. Hopefully, in the adult series too, after some time I would be able to challenge the world’s best.