Hurdler Saara Keskitalo Runs Finnish Record, Starts Believing She's an Athlete

Saara Keskitalo, 26, has shattered the Finnish record for the 100-meter hurdles, clocking an impressive 12.64 seconds. This achievement comes just over six months after she expressed a hopeful, yet uncertain, desire to become a professional athlete.

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I am hopeful that I will still become an athlete.

Last year was a mix for Keskitalo. While she secured a spot in the World Championships and won gold at the Universiades, a significant hamstring injury and the pressure of qualifying for major events took a toll. "First comes the injury, then you have to fight your way to the major competitions. Try to relax then," Keskitalo said.

Now, Keskitalo stands as Finland's undisputed top hurdler, surpassing competitors like Lotta Harala, Nooralotta Neziri, Reetta Hurske, and Annimari Korte. Despite the new national record, Keskitalo remains grounded. "The Finnish record doesn't change anything in me. It's just a time like any other. There are no guarantees what will happen in the next race. You have to run fast again every time," she stated.

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First comes the injury, then you have to fight your way to the major competitions. Try to relax then.

Keskitalo believes the intense competition among Finnish hurdlers has pushed everyone forward. "Competition has surely taken us all forward." Observing her peers' training and performance provides valuable insights. "You see up close that it's possible to run fast. You don't have to do any magic tricks. On the other hand, sometimes it can be a bit mysterious, how others train around the world."

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I hadn't really thought about it actively beforehand. It's always very difficult to predict when such a run will come or if it ever will.

As the Finnish Championships begin in Jyväskylä, a city Keskitalo calls home from her childhood, she aims to secure her first national championship gold medal. She has already collected six national medals across three different disciplines.

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The Finnish record doesn't change anything in me. It's just a time like any other. There are no guarantees what will happen in the next race. You have to run fast again every time.