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Seppo Räty

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Seppo Räty
Personal information
Full nameSeppo Henrik Räty
Nickname(s)Tohmajärven karhu
Tohmajärven tykki
NationalityFinnish
Born (1962-04-27) 27 April 1962 (age 62)
Helsinki, Finland
Years active1987-1997
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight102 kg (225 lb)
Sport
Country Finland (1987-1997)
SportTrack and field
EventJavelin throw
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals
World finals
Personal best90.60 m (1992)
Medal record
Men's Athletics
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona Javelin
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul Javelin
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta Javelin
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 Rome Javelin
Silver medal – second place 1991 Tokyo Javelin
European Athletics Championships
Silver medal – second place 1994 Helsinki Javelin

Seppo Henrik Räty (born 27 April 1962) is a retired Finnish track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He was a World Champion, having won gold in 1987. He was also an Olympic medalist (silver in 1992, bronze in 1988 and 1996). He was nicknamed Tohmajärven karhu ("The Bear of Tohmajärvi") and Tohmajärven tykki ("The Cannon of Tohmajärvi").

His personal best throw of 96.96 m, set in 1991, was one of his two world records with the "new javelin" at the time, however this throw was made using a "Nemeth" javelin that was banned by the IAAF later that year. All records made using this javelin were retrospectively deleted as from 20.9.1991 but remain ratified world records recognised by the IAAF. His best throw with the current javelin is 90.60 m, achieved in 1992.

While in the process of winning the 1987 World Championships, Räty was the subject of an often repeated video of failure. Räty tripped on the runway, his javelin throw sticking in the runway about 30 cm short of the foul line. While an embarrassing throw for negative gain, in fact since he had not crossed the line it did not even count as a foul.[1]

After retiring, Räty became a coach. He currently (2008) mentors another javelin thrower from Northern Karelia, Oona Sormunen.

Seasonal bests by year

[edit]
  • 1986 - 81.72
  • 1987 - 83.54
  • 1988 - 83.26
  • 1989 - 83.92
  • 1990 - 86.92
  • 1991 - 96.96 (modified javelin)
  • 1992 - 90.60
  • 1993 - 85.68
  • 1994 - 85.22
  • 1995 - 87.68
  • 1996 - 86.98
  • 1997 - 82.22
  • 1998 - 75.14
  • 1999 - 79.47

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Seppo Räty makes stumble & great recovery and becomes WORLD CHAMPION". YouTube. 25 April 2018.
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