World Champion Niko Anttola’s father, Marko Anttola, sees his son’s possible selection for the World Championships in Planica as good for the future.
3.2. 17:46•Updated 3.2. 18:16
Has achieved success in the Junior World Championships Niko Anttola, 19, has been on the ski people’s lips lately. Anttola became a skiing world champion late on Thursday evening Finnish time, when he won gold in the 10 km intermediate start of the under-20 freestyle skiing.
Father Marko Anttola is happy with his son’s performance.
– It was a good bet. Great that it worked. Really great job.
The young world champion has received a lot of praise in the media.
– There has been quite a lot (of excitement). He has potential, but sometimes it seems to overflow. There are other good young people in Finland, as the games have shown, says Marko Anttola.
The goal set by father and son regarding the youth World Championships was realized. Last year, Anttola skied to silver in the traditional ten in Norway. This year, the silver medal was recorded as gold.
– The clear goal was that medal and why not victory in Niko’s mind. Went there to get it and now got it.
Discussions are hot about Anttola’s selection for the adult World Cup team in Planica. Father Marko Anttola does not want to speculate on his son’s possible choice. However, Anttola sees that the choice could be beneficial for his son’s future.
– It would be a great thing if there is enough momentum for it. If he is selected, I would like to see him have his place in the team. It’s not worth taking or leaving by force.
Even a Norwegian skiing legend is praising the technology
The young man representing Visa Ski Team Kemi took bronze in the men’s 15 km at the Tampere Championship. On Monday, he won the World Youth Championship silver in the 20 km joint start race.
Marko Anttola has a clear vision of his son’s strengths.
– Oxygen absorption capacity, technique in both styles and endurance properties are at a good level in this age group. They already go pretty far.
Anttola skied in the Ruka World Cup in November. He was tenth in the traditional 38th, but rose to 25th in the free 20 kilometer pursuit.
The 190-centimeter youngster’s walk on the track looks effortless and gestureless. Also a skiing legend Petter Northug praised Anttola with his own On their Twitter account (you will switch to another service) and compared his traditional technique Iivo Niskasen and free technique to the Norwegian to Thomas Alsgaard. Niskas has three Olympic golds, Alsgaard has five.
– It’s quite positive that such feedback comes from Norway. Great to hear. I am flattered, admits father Marko Anttola.
The key to a functioning coaching relationship is mutual understanding and communication
Mika Myllylän Anttola, who has also worked as a ski tester, states that the coaching relationship between father and son works well. According to him, the basis of a functioning coaching relationship is a common understanding of training and mutual communication.
During the joint coaching session, both father and son have learned a lot about coaching and training. Niko Anttola, who studies at Sotkamo sports high school, has also received a lot of good things from Vuokatis for his own training.
Marko Anttola describes his son as a motivated athlete who trains hard and also dares to challenge the coach.
– Niko’s knowledge and interest have grown enormously along the way. Would like to know more all the time.
You can follow the World Youth Ski Championships on ‘s channels. On Friday evening, the U23 series 10 km free intermediate start race will be skied. The women’s race at Areena starts at 19:55 and the men’s race starts at 21:55. On Saturday evening, we will still ski the mixed relays.