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Finnish Hammer Thrower Aims for Gold at European Championships After Training Overhaul
🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Finnish Hammer Thrower Aims for Gold at European Championships After Training Overhaul

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Hammer thrower Silja Kosonen has made significant changes to her training, focusing on speed with new coach Mika Vakkuri.
  • She aims to peak for the European Championships, adjusting her training schedule to prioritize speed work when she is fresh.
  • Kosonen is confident and targeting the gold medal, believing her improved speed and training adjustments will lead to her best performance.

Hammer thrower Silja Kosonen is making significant strides in her athletic career, driven by a revamped training approach focused on speed. Working with new speed coach Mika Vakkuri, who joined her team last fall, Kosonen has overhauled her regimen. Previously, speed drills were tacked onto throwing or weight training sessions. Now, she dedicates specific morning sessions to speed work, allowing her to tackle these demanding exercises while fresh.

The biggest thing is that I now have more of an athlete's feel.

— Silja Kosonendescribing the impact of her new training regimen.

"The biggest thing is that I now have more of an athlete's feel," Kosonen shared from the Finnish hotel in Birmingham. This enhanced speed has translated into noticeable improvements in the throwing circle, with observers noting her throws appear faster, a sensation Kosonen confirms. The new training also includes extensive core work and body activation exercises, which initially proved challenging but are now part of her standard warm-up.

This time, for once, it looks like the best results won't come in the spring. My condition has felt good, and I believe I will be at my best in the final.

— Silja Kosonenexplaining her strategy to peak for the European Championships.

Kosonen's competition season has shown consistent performance, hovering around the 75-meter mark. However, she has strategically timed her peak condition for the European Championships, unlike in previous years when her best performances occurred in the spring. "This time, for once, it looks like the best results won't come in the spring. My condition has felt good, and I believe I will be at my best in the final," she stated.

I'm going for the brightest medal.

— Silja Kosonenstating her goal for the European Championships.

With the qualifying mark set at 71.50 meters, Kosonen is expected to advance easily to the final. Currently ranked second in Europe behind her roommate Krista Tervo, Kosonen is openly aiming for the top spot. "I'm going for the brightest medal," she declared. Her calm and confident demeanor on Saturday further underscored her readiness, fueled by the knowledge of her strong physical condition.

Of course, it's easier to be confident when I know I'm in good shape.

— Silja Kosonencommenting on her self-assurance ahead of the competition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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