Wilma Murto was chosen as Track and Field Athlete of the Year at the Athletics Gala – talked about her feeling of crisis after the huge EC victory

Wilma Murto was awarded as general athlete of the year at the Sports Association’s gala.

Pole vault European champion Wilma Murto was awarded as Track and Field Athlete of the Year at the Finnish Athletics Federation’s Athletics Gala on Friday in Helsinki.

Murto won the European Championship in August in Munich, Germany with a Finnish record of 485. In July, the 24-year-old Murto finished sixth at the World Championships in Oregon.

– If you manage to be the All-Sportsman of the Year in a year like this, you can be proud of it. Athletics has been on the rise, and the entire season of the national team has been great, Murto rejoiced in the Sports Association’s press release.

Murro’s fall has been busy, but in the last few weeks, the pole vaulter has returned to the everyday life of an athlete.

– Even though the summer of my life is behind me and a clear turn in my own career, my basic work, i.e. what I do every day, tastes good, Murto stated.

Important advice from a former top runner

However, according to Murro, returning to everyday life as a European champion was a little different than it has been in previous autumns.

Referring to his rise to the international top, Murto reflected that, in a way, nothing has changed, even though many things have changed at the same time.

– There has been a small crisis with my own athlete identity.

– Now there were no jeez I made it to the finals mood. There was a full pot. It’s something that took some getting used to. It’s been a while.

For the past five weeks, Murto has been working hard for his coach Jarno Koivunen under management in Turku.

– After the championship, there will be all kinds of adjustments, but Jarno and I have tried to make sure that the basics don’t change in the new conditions and challenges, says Murto.

Murto received similar instructions from the now impressive, three-time 800-meter world champion and multiple-time medalist in his supporters’ bread From Wilson Kipketer.

– Wilson’s advice was to protect what you have, Murto said.

In the administration period, Murto starts the competitions in January. In the summer, the Diamond League and August’s World Championships in Budapest await.

Raitanen is trying out a new rhythm with summer 2024 in mind

Last summer, another Finnish European champion, winner of the 3,000-meter steeplechase in Munich Top Raitanen was awarded Endurance Runner of the Year at the Athletics Gala.

– The phone has been ringing a little differently than in previous autumns. It is, of course, a positive problem, but many have had to say no to various proposals and opportunities, because it is not possible to take care of all of them at the same time, Raitanen repeated.

Raitanen’s training is also aimed at next season’s World Championships in August in Budapest. There are no major changes to the training concept.

– The same work and “grinding” again, a long winter. I guess it will get easier again sometime in the spring, Raitanen mused.

As in recent years, Raitanen’s winter and spring program includes long mountain camps. Instead, in the spring, he plans to try a slightly different rhythm.

– In the Olympic year 2024, there will also be the European Championships in June, so now I want to try to see if we can show the performance already for that June and how it will affect August, Raitanen stated.