Petra Stenman, working to support the coaches of Jere Haapalainen and Antti Sainio, expected one medal and was confused about two.
Roommates Jere Haapalainen and Antti Sainio spent the beginning of the week dreaming about how the duo would take a double victory at the under-20 European Championships in Jerusalem in the 400-meter hurdles. And as Thursday turned into the evening, they did just that: the recent adult Finnish champion Haapalainen kiri won the gold and Sainio won the silver.
Worked as a sports coach for the sports association and still assists the coaches of both youth teams Petra Stenman admitted that one medal was expected, but two medals was already a big trick.
– It’s always unpredictable in value competitions, especially in the final. All it takes is one small mistake, and the medal is gone, Stenman said.
Haapalainen’s and Sainio’s medals in this age group and on this distance were the first for Finnish male runners. In women under 20 years of age Viivi Lehikoinen won bronze on the way in 2017. In under 23 years Jussi Kanervo and Oskari Mörö ran in the final in 2015. At that time Kanervo was second and Mörö sixth.
– That’s why it was a surprise to me that both succeeded so well in the final and both had the patience to do their own run and with their own strengths. Their technical know-how and especially the finishing line have been really strong.
When Finland’s double victory on Thursday was confirmed, according to Stenman, the mutual Whatsapp group of athletics coaches literally exploded with messages. Colleagues sent congratulations to the coaches of the Finnish team who were in Jerusalem.
– I wasn’t the first to send the message. I was still so shocked and dizzy from the race, Stenman laughed.
“They can see the fences”
Even though it is the European Championships and athletes under the age of 20, according to Stenman, a victory and even a double victory is a significant achievement. Many of these EC finalists will probably continue their racing careers into adulthood and are already close to the top of Europe.
Haapalainen has already improved his record several times this summer, and in the final he clocked a new age group Finnish record. The 50-second cutoff was only two hundredths away. This puts him in 42nd place in European statistics.
– Of course, there are different sports paths, but it does help if you are already close to the top at this age, or at least not very far.
Both Jere Haapalainen and Antti Sainio are Tampere Pyrinnö runners. He coaches from Haapa Juha Lehto and Sainiota his mother Maarit Palmroos. Neither of the coaches is a full-time coach, so they have received good help from the multiple Finnish champion of the sport, Petra Stenman.
In his own career, Stenman won ten championship gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles and 400-meter outdoor tracks. With his record of 55.01, he is third on Finland’s all-time list, ahead of him Viivi Lehikoinen and Tuija Helander.
According to Stenman, what makes both Haapalainen and Sainio good is their versatility and technicality. Both dominate several sprints, Haapalainen has also been successful in the decathlon. However, one feature clearly stands out from both:
– They see the fences. Crossing the fence comes naturally, and the run moves forward nicely. It’s something that always gives a little indication that the athlete is a talented aturi.
Future achievers
According to Stenman, 19-year-old Haapalainen and 18-year-old Sainio are really determined athletes with clear goals. Although they play sports to the fullest, they also always have a good twinkle in the corner of their eye. They know how to have fun even while exercising and enjoy it.
– Both such future success stories. Both have strong self-confidence and dare to say their goals out loud. They are brave to try and brave to throw themselves into sports, Stenman praised.
Haapalainen has already won the Finnish championship and the European championship of his age group, Sainio has also clocked the SE times of his age group several times and ran harder than, for example, an ME man Karsten Warholm at the same age.
So there is potential, but even if the situation looks good, Stenman does not want to put any kind of pressure on the duo. He emphasizes patience – for each party.
– You need patience, but at the same time you should enjoy this moment and this success, Stenman said.