Pertti Karppinen biography
Pertti Karppinen, (born February 17, 1953, Vehmaa, Finland), Finnish sculler who received gold medals in three consecutive Olympic single sculls occasions (1976, 1980, 1984). His Olympic success, coupled with world championships in 1979 and 1985, tied him with Peter-Michael Kolbe of Germany as the one five-time single sculls champions.
Standing 2.05 metres (6 ft 9 inches) tall, Karppinen was capable of make lengthy strokes with minimal pressure. His straightforward strokes and nice energy made him a powerful finisher, and he usually stayed behind the sphere earlier than placing on a fierce dash within the final 500 metres of a race. Throughout his profession Karppinen battled Kolbe for world and Olympic titles. Kolbe dominated the world single sculls competitors, profitable 5 titles to Karppinen’s two. At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, nevertheless, Karppinen beat Kolbe by greater than two seconds to take the gold medal.
Karppinen defended his Olympic title on the 1980 Moscow Games in Moscow (wherein Kolbe didn't take part) and once more beat Kolbe for his third gold medal on the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. At the tip of his profession, Karppinen positioned out of the medal depend within the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, ending seventh and tenth respectively. In addition to his two world championship victories, he additionally received three silver medals (1977, 1981, 1986) and a bronze (1987).