Seppo Räty
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Seppo Henrik Räty |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Born |
27 April 1962 Helsinki, Finland |
| Years active | 1987-1997 |
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 102 kg (225 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country |
 Finland (1987-1997) |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event(s) | Javelin throw |
| Turned pro | 1987 |
| Retired | 1997 |
| Achievements and titles | |
| World finals |
|
| Olympic finals |
|
| Personal best(s) | 90.60 m (1992) |
Medal record
| |
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Seppo Henrik Räty (born 27 April 1962, in Helsinki) is a Finnish javelin thrower. His personal best throw was 96.96 m in 1991, which was a world record with the "new javelin" at the time, however this throw was made using a modified 'Nemeth' javelin which was banned by the IAAF later that year and all records made using this javelin were retrospectively deleted. Räty's best throw with the current javelin is 90.60 m in 1992. He was World Champion in 1987 and an Olympic medalist in the javelin throw (silver 1992, bronze 1988 and 1996). He was nicknamed "Tohmajärven karhu" (The Bear of Tohmajärvi) and "Tohmajärven tykki" (The Cannon of Tohmajärvi).
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]
Now Räty is coaching another javelin talent from Northern Karelia, Oona Sormunen.
Seasonal bests by year
- 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
External links
- Seppo Räty profile at IAAF