Tero Pitkämäki and Andreas Thorkildsen were the iconic pair of javelin throwers in the early 2000s. The Finn and the Norwegian winged each other in even harder javelin arcs.
The duo’s competition for wins was very even. Both beat each other 42 times.
At the under-23 athletics European Championships held in Espoo, an interesting meeting was seen over the weekend, when the coaches of the already retired throwing stars Hannu Kangas and Åsmund Martinsen met each other on the field of Leppävaara. Both were watching the men’s javelin final organized on Saturday.
– We traveled a lot together and became good friends. It was really nice to see Hannu again, a cheerful Martinsen told Urheilu on Sunday.
Kangas and Martinsen talked a lot about the spear and remembered the past.
– Andreas and Tero competed for many years at the same time. We discussed the 2003 under-23 European Championships, when Tero took bronze and Andreas was fourth. Lots of great memories, Martinsen relishes.
The age category of the men’s javelin at the Games twenty years ago was very high-quality, as in addition to Thorkildsen and Pitkämäki, Latvians also reached Olympic medals in their careers. Vadim Vasilevskis mixed Ainar Kovals. In addition, the then youth European Championship winner, Russia Alexander Ivanov was often in the top 4–8 at the adult level.
Between Thorkildsen and Pitkämäki there was a deep respect for the other. The duo was often responsible for the sharpness of the tip alone. In their time, the javelin was not nearly as global a sport as it is now.
– They were really important to each other. They thought the level of the games was tough and were really close to each other. I think they were very important athletes for javelin for many years.
The wave made an impression
Thorkildsen, who won two Olympic golds and one world championship, ended his career in 2016. Martinsen currently has three personal coaches.
At the European Youth Championships in Espoo, Martinsen was the Norwegian team’s throwing sports leader.
– I’m here more in the role of a spectator, he joked.
The experienced javelin throw coach is still very well informed about the twists and turns of Finnish javelin throw. In Finland, there has even been talk of a small-scale crisis at times, because the peak is not as wide as it used to be.
Martinsen doesn’t see the situation that way.
– You currently have one thrower (Oliver Helander), which throws really far. But the younger Finnish throwers are really tough. They throw well for their age.
Martinsen mentions the first time he celebrated a medal in the under-23 category for the second time in his career Topias Laine.
– He throws with good technique and he is fast.
Laine is a fast but also short thrower. Is length a problem?
– I’m not sure. If you remember Jorma from Kinnuhe wasn’t very tall, but he still threw far, Martinsen laughs.
– Of course he has to run faster than the others. I think he will develop more.
“Don’t push too hard”
Martinsen is even more enthusiastic about the even younger Finnish throwers. Born in 2006 Top Parviainen made a splash last summer by setting the European record (84.52) in his age group at the under-17 European Championships at the age of 15 with a 700-gram javelin.
Parviainen improved his result by almost nine meters in the final round. Martinsen followed, impressed Aki Parviainen nephew’s race. Top’s father What is also a former javelin thrower.
– He seems really tough. He gets a lot of help from his father and uncle. I remember them both well.
Martinsen highlights a promise that is even younger than the 16-year-old Parviai. Recently turned 14 Jere Murto has hit the unofficial world record of 74.30 for 13-year-olds with a 600-gram javelin this summer.
– He looks really big for his age. Murto also throws very well, Martinsen knows.
Finnish javelin fans have no reason to worry, according to the Norwegian legend’s coach.
– Give Parviainen and Murro a few years to develop. Don’t put too much pressure and let them enjoy the sport and they will do really well.
– Topi knows what needs to be done. He gets really good tips from Mika and Aki, who know what to focus on.
After Thorkildsen finished, it has been quiet in Norwegian terms on the men’s javelin front. This summer, the fourth best quote (78.81) in European statistics for under-23s Daniel Thrana is the most promising Norwegian male thrower in a long time.
– He has improved a lot this year. He’s normally a really fast thrower. In Espoo, he threw his second best throw ever in the final, says Martinsen.
A more predictable trio of medals
With the passionate javelin coach, you can’t help but talk about the World Championships in Budapest, which will be contested in August. The level of men’s javelin is currently more easily predictable for long periods of time.
The situation is similar to the peak years of Pitkämäki and Thorkilden before the 2010s. Estonian Andrus Varnikof Russia Sergei Makarov and Latvia’s Vadim Vasilevskis were able to hit a wedge from time to time, but the setup when going to the value races was still typically Thorkildsen vs. Pitkämäki.
The clear medal favorites at the moment are India Neeraj ChopraCzech Republic Jakub Vadlejch and Germany Julian Weber.
threw 87.32 this summer and improved his level Oliver Helander is the toughest challenger of the trio. Martinsen is still not quite sure about the Finn’s World Cup medal chances.
– He needs to be more even. The level fluctuates a lot. Of course, he has a lot of injuries, which makes it difficult to throw really far very often, Martinsen estimates.
No athlete has been able to break the 90-meter barrier this season.
– This season, there haven’t been many athletes who can throw really far. Vadlejch is very consistent, Weber throws well and you never know about Chopra. With Anderson Peters there have been injuries. It’s really interesting to see what the situation is like at the World Cup.
Martinsen is worried about one thing in the javelin throw. The international level of women doesn’t stop soaring. In Finland too, the women’s javelin has long been a crown of sorrows, although this summer the bronze medalist of the European Youth Championship who threw more than 62 meters Anni-Linnea Alanen bring some comfort.
– At the moment, there are not many good throwers. The level has gone down a lot.
– I remember the times ten years ago, when Barbora Spotakova, Christina Obergföll, Sunette Viljöen and partners threw more than 70 meters. I hope the situation will improve.
Updated 22:22: Corrected in the introduction that Martisen is concerned about the international situation of women.