Ready for the prize giving: President of Finnish Student Sports Federation Kaisa Myllylä (right) and representative of sponsoring Veikkaus Ltd. Lotta Fredrikson (left)
On February 1st, the Finnish Student Sports Federation celebrated its 86th Anniversary. Kaisa Myllylä, the new President of the Federation, warmly welcomed all the guests from member associations and interest groups.
Kiira Korpi in the Harbin Universiade figure skating arenaAfternoon’s highlight was the announcement of ‘Finnish Student Athlete of the Year’, an award that has been granted since 2002. This time the honour went to figure skater Kiira Korpi who won the bronze medal at the 2009 Harbin Universiade. The medal was the first ever won by a Finnish athlete in Universiade figure skating, exclusive of synchronized skating.
21-year old Korpi studies management and organization in the University of Tampere. In her athletic career, Korpi has won the bronze medal also at the 2007 European Figure Skating Championships. In the 2010 event, which was held recently in Estonia, she placed fourth.
Korpi was not able to receive her award personally as she is currently getting prepared for her second Olympic Games, which are about to begin in Vancouver next week.
Finnish Student Athlete of the Year
2002: Anu Kopra, Orienteering; University of Tampere
* Gold medal at WUC
2003: Jani Tanskanen, Artistic Gymnastics; University of Jyväskylä
* Silver medal at Daegu SU
2004: Laura Lammi, Water Skiing; Haaga-Helia Polytechnic
* Bronze medal at WUC
2005: Juha Haukkala, Freestyle Skiing/ Ski Cross; Stadia Polytechnic
* Gold medal at Innsbruck WU
2006: Viivi Koivu, Sport Shooting; University of Jyväskylä
* Gold medal at International University Shooting Championship
2007: Johanna Manninen, Athletics; University of Jyväskylä
* 2 gold medals at Bangkok SU
2008: Bodil Holmström, Orienteering; Åbo Akademi University
* 3 gold medals at WUC
2009: Kiira Korpi, Figure Skating: University of Tampere
* Bronze medal at Harbin WU