Jani Illikainen and Kati Luoto Repeat in Finland
by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind Enterprises, Inc. © 2007
Successfully defending their titles, Jani Illikainen won Finland's Strongest Man and Kati Luoto won Finland's Strongest Woman in Turku, Finland this weekend.
"Both competitions were tough," Ilkka Kinnunen told IronMind®, and besides the heat from their fellow athletes, the competitors had to deal with +31 degree (Centigrade) temperatures (about 88 degrees Fahrenheit), Kinnunen said.
In addition to taking home top honors in the men's contest with 78 points, Jani Illikainen set a new Finnish record in the log lift (172.5 kg). Jani Kolehmainen was second overall in the men's competition (71 points), and Janne Hartikainen was third 66.5 points).
Kati Luoto won the women's competition with 53 points, followed by Kirsi Jarvi (46 points) and Niina Jumppanen (45 points).