A witch’s arrow struck during a training run changed Iivo Niskane’s Friday plans. Instead of the race track, the Olympic champion went to a physiotherapist to treat severe pain.
Three-time Olympic champion Iivo Niskanen arrived Äänekoski to the WC in a good mood and in a good mood. The purpose was to compete three times from Friday to Sunday, to claim the Finnish pursuit championship on Saturday, and to be part of the gold quartet of the Puijo Ski Association in the 4×10 kilometer relay on Sunday. It was the other way around.
– I was Hyvarinen Pertu on an exercise run with him, when he was hit in the lower back by a very nasty witch’s arrow, which locked the back in a painful protective cramp. There is no talk of competing, Niskanen told Urheilu on Friday afternoon.
With his ailments, he immediately applied for physical therapy and just before the interview had been treated by a professional.
– Now we are waiting for the good effects of the treatment. During my career, I haven’t had any particular problems with my back, but now when one came, it really brought a man to his knees, Niskanen laughed.
Hope still lives
Niskanen had not left the SC scenery towards Kuopio and home. There were two reasons.
– Traveling in this condition really wouldn’t be a treat. Secondly, I’m still waiting to see if the cramp will start and I can still join the message group on Sunday. I don’t dare give a prediction, said Niskanen, who suffered from several different health problems during the season.
He progressed at an international top speed at the beginning and end of the World Cup, in between there were enough problems.
Last spring, Niskanen shrugged off the nominal strength of the A national team for the entire training season, which enabled the independent implementation and planning of the entire training content.
The financial situation of the ski association is, if possible, even bleaker this spring than in spring 2023 when Niskanen pulls the trigger. The man stated that he will decide what he will do with the A national team in the summer season only as the spring progresses.
Out of the national team again?
– According to the news, the economic situation really looks like it does, but of course you have to talk with the sports coaching about what would and wouldn’t be available. It wouldn’t be a bad option to do as I did last spring. There were problems during the season, but they were in no way due to my training season. It worked out very well.
The first part of the men’s pursuit, the 10 kilometer (v) race, was won by Perttu Hyvärinen before Markus Vuorelaa and Ristomatti Hakolaa. The Niskanen family’s tradition of success was continued by the older sister Kerttu Niskanenwho won the women’s pursuit prelude, the five kilometer (v) race before Krista Pärmäkoskea and Jasmi Joensuuta.
The competitions continue on Saturday with the men’s 15 km (p) and women’s 10 km (p) races, at the end of which the pursuit championship medals will be awarded. Medals were also awarded separately for Friday’s sections.
Urheilu follows Urheilustudio’s weekend on its website in this article.
On Saturday, live broadcast of the women’s 10 km (p) race from 13:25 and the men’s 15 km (p) race from 14:25. Live broadcasts on TV2, Areena and ‘s network.
Men’s 10 km (y)
1. Perttu Hyvärinen 26.51.7
2. Markus Vuorela +17.8
3. Ristomatti Hakola +25.8
4. Arsi Ruuskanen +26.4
5. Joonas Sarkkinen +38.1
6. Oskari Hökkä +46.4
7. Joel Ikonen +47.3
8. Remi Lindholm +49.6
Women’s 5 km (y)
1. Kerttu Niskanen 13.39.7
2. Krista Pärmäkoski +18.5
3. Jasmi Joensuu +33.4
4. Anne Kyllönen +45.8
5. Johanna Matintalo +1.00,4
6. Jasmin Kähärä +1.09,9
7. Maija Hakala +1.12,7
8. Hilla Niemelä +1.19,7