Jukka Keskisalo
Encyclopedia
Jukka Pekka Sakari Keskisalo (born March 27, 1981 in Varkaus
) is a Finnish
athlete competing in 3000 m steeplechase
and 1500 m
. He won 3000 m steeplechase at the European Championships
in Gothenburg
, 2006.
, winning the bronze in 2000. Keskisalo finished ninth at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics
in Paris
with his record time, 8:17.72. The next two seasons were hampered by injuries, but he made a strong comeback in 2006 by taking surprise gold at the 2006 European Championships in Athletics
. He ran a tactical race, taking advantage of a slow early pace and staying at the rear of the field until the last 500 metres, when he sprinted and overtook the other competitors one by one.
Less than a week after the European Championships, Keskisalo placed fourth at the Golden League
meet in Zürich
with his new record time 8:16.74. Later, Keskisalo was voted Finnish Sportspersonality of the year
, ahead of Tanja Poutiainen
and Tero Pitkämäki
.
In 2007 Keskisalo suffered from injuries again. In 2008 he competed and was selected for the Olympics
, however he injured just few days before his event and was not able to compete. Later in the autumn it was announced that Risto Ulmala
replaces Tommy Ekblom
as his coach.
In 2009 Keskisalo broke his record time twice already prior to World Championships
in Berlin
; first 8:15.59 when finishing third at the Golden League
event Meeting Areva in Paris
, and later 8:12.93 at the Super Grand Prix
event Herculis
in Monaco
. At the World Championships steeplechase final
Keskisalo achieved his best success in the global level when finishing eighth with the time 8:14.47. On 28 August Keskisalo finally broke Tapio Kantanen
's 33 years old Finnish record when finishing sixth with the time 8:10.67 in Weltklasse Zürich
. Co-operation of Keskisalo and Ulmala ended after the season 2009. His new coach Ismo Hämäläinen was announced in October 2009. Hämäläinen is more known from cross country skiing and lastly he has coached Germany in sprint skiing.
Varkaus
Varkaus is a Middle-Savonian industrial town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Northern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is .The municipality is...
) is a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
athlete competing in 3000 m steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
and 1500 m
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. He won 3000 m steeplechase at the European Championships
2006 European Championships in Athletics
The 19th European Athletics Championships were held in Gothenburg, Sweden, between 7 August and 13 August 2006. The competition arena was the Ullevi Stadium and the official motto "Catch the Spirit"...
in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, 2006.
Career
He took a medal in the junior race at the Nordic Cross Country ChampionshipsNordic Cross Country Championships
The Nordic Cross Country Championships is an annual international cross country running competition that is contested between the Nordic countries...
, winning the bronze in 2000. Keskisalo finished ninth at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics
2003 World Championships in Athletics
The 9th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held from 23 August to 31 August 2003 in the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, France.-Track:...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
with his record time, 8:17.72. The next two seasons were hampered by injuries, but he made a strong comeback in 2006 by taking surprise gold at the 2006 European Championships in Athletics
2006 European Championships in Athletics
The 19th European Athletics Championships were held in Gothenburg, Sweden, between 7 August and 13 August 2006. The competition arena was the Ullevi Stadium and the official motto "Catch the Spirit"...
. He ran a tactical race, taking advantage of a slow early pace and staying at the rear of the field until the last 500 metres, when he sprinted and overtook the other competitors one by one.
Less than a week after the European Championships, Keskisalo placed fourth at the Golden League
IAAF Golden League
The IAAF Golden League was an annual series of track and field meetings organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations...
meet in Zürich
Weltklasse Zürich
Weltklasse Zürich is an annual track and field meeting at the Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland. Previously one of the IAAF Golden League events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League. One of the first large-scale international athletics events , it is sometimes referred to as the one day...
with his new record time 8:16.74. Later, Keskisalo was voted Finnish Sportspersonality of the year
Finnish Sportspersonality of the year
The Finnish Sportspersonality of the Year is chosen annually since 1947 by the national sports journalists. In addition, the best female athlete is nominated each year.-Winners:- Best females :...
, ahead of Tanja Poutiainen
Tanja Poutiainen
Tanja Poutiainen is a Finnish alpine ski racer, the silver medalist in the women's giant slalom at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino....
and Tero Pitkämäki
Tero Pitkämäki
Tero Kristian Pitkämäki is a Finnish javelin thrower and the former World Champion. Pitkämäki is known for his rivalry with Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen. The two are very close friends, however...
.
In 2007 Keskisalo suffered from injuries again. In 2008 he competed and was selected for the Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics were held during the last 10 days of the games, from August 15 to August 24, 2008, at the Beijing National Stadium. The Olympic sport of athletics is split into four distinct sets of events: track and field events, road running events, and racewalking...
, however he injured just few days before his event and was not able to compete. Later in the autumn it was announced that Risto Ulmala
Risto Ulmala
Risto Ilmari Ulmala is a former Finnish long-distance runner. Risto Ulmala's best achievement was 7th place in 5000 meters at World Championships 1991. In European Athletics Championships he was 6th in 5000 meters 1990 and 7th in 1994. After his track running career he competed in road...
replaces Tommy Ekblom
Tommy Ekblom
Tommy Uolevi Ekblom is a retired long-distance runner from Finland. He twice competed for his native country at the Summer Olympics in the men's 3000 metres steeplechase. Ekblom set his personal best in that event in 1983...
as his coach.
In 2009 Keskisalo broke his record time twice already prior to World Championships
2009 World Championships in Athletics
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate....
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
; first 8:15.59 when finishing third at the Golden League
IAAF Golden League
The IAAF Golden League was an annual series of track and field meetings organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations...
event Meeting Areva in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and later 8:12.93 at the Super Grand Prix
IAAF Super Grand Prix
The Super Grand Prix was an annual series of athletics meetings organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations .- Meetings :Current meetings for 2009- External links :*...
event Herculis
Herculis
The Herculis is an annual track and field meet at Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco. Previously one of the five IAAF Super Grand Prix events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League.-World records:...
in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
. At the World Championships steeplechase final
2009 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase
The Men's 3.000 metres Steeplechase at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Olympic Stadium on August 16 and August 18...
Keskisalo achieved his best success in the global level when finishing eighth with the time 8:14.47. On 28 August Keskisalo finally broke Tapio Kantanen
Tapio Kantanen
Tapio Kantanen was a Finnish athlete, who mainly competed in the 3,000 metre steeple chase.He competed for Finland at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany where he won the bronze medal in the 3,000 metres steeplechase event. He also competed in the 5,000 metres at Munich, but did not...
's 33 years old Finnish record when finishing sixth with the time 8:10.67 in Weltklasse Zürich
Weltklasse Zürich
Weltklasse Zürich is an annual track and field meeting at the Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland. Previously one of the IAAF Golden League events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League. One of the first large-scale international athletics events , it is sometimes referred to as the one day...
. Co-operation of Keskisalo and Ulmala ended after the season 2009. His new coach Ismo Hämäläinen was announced in October 2009. Hämäläinen is more known from cross country skiing and lastly he has coached Germany in sprint skiing.