Tero Pitkämäki has coached Oliver Helander for almost three years. Now the cooperation culminated in the EC bronze in Rome.
12.6. 23:04•Updated 0:14
Oliver Helander achieved the first adult competition medal of his career when he raced to bronze at the European Championships in Rome.
The Czech Republic won the European championship Jakub Vadlejch, who competed in the last round with his season’s best 88.65. Germany’s Julian Weber took silver with a score of 85.94.
Helander’s coach Tero Pitkämäki warmed that Helander opened his medal account in Wednesday’s final.
– It was a tough competition in the end. This was a day of struggle from Oliver, but he dug out one successful throw and got a medal around his neck with it, Pitkämäki recently told Urheilu.
Helander threw his top throw of 85.75 in the third round. Helender showed his coolness, because after two weak opening rounds, he was already falling from the further rounds.
– Oliver was looking for a long throw and he didn’t quite have the equipment. The spears started in really weak positions. Fortunately, that one was found there, which was then enough for a medal.
Helander’s training season was exceptional in terms of injuries, because compared to previous years, he was able to play sports healthy and especially make more powerful throws. Even in previous years, Helander’s training had been hampered by shoulder and back problems.
Pitkämäki, who has coached Helander for almost three years, describes that Helander has grown into a top athlete little by little.
– It shows that playing sports is comprehensive. All everyday things are put in place and like this.
– It’s good to leave for Paris in good health. Just need to hone the technique for a couple of months. Then we’re back in Paris in battle positions.
Mirroring the preliminary expectations, the final did not offer any big surprises, as the strongest trio took the medals from the competition. Lassi Etelätalo stretched to sixth with a season’s best 82.80. Toni Keränen was tenth with a result of 80.76.
– Up front, the hard trio did the job. There were no surprises. I think the Finns’ overall contribution was good. Oliver and Lassi threw their best of the season and Toni pretty close. A perfect day, Pitkämäki described.