Matti Nykänen

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Matti Nykänen (17 July 1963 – 4 February 2019) was a Finnish ski jumper who is widely considered one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Over his career, he won five Olympic medals, nine World Championship medals, and 22 World Cup competitions.

Early Life

Matti Ensio Nykänen was born in Jyväskylä, Finland. He began ski jumping at a young age and quickly showed promise in the sport. By the age of 18, he had already made a name for himself in the international ski jumping community.

Career

Nykänen's career took off in the early 1980s. He won his first World Cup event in 1981 and continued to dominate the sport throughout the decade.

Olympic Success

Nykänen competed in three Winter Olympics: 1984, 1988, and 1992. He won a total of five medals: four gold and one silver. His most successful Olympics was in 1988 in Calgary, where he won three gold medals in the individual normal hill, individual large hill, and team large hill events.

World Championships

Nykänen also had a successful career in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. He won a total of nine medals, including five golds. His victories contributed significantly to Finland's standing in the sport during the 1980s.

World Cup

In the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, Nykänen won 46 individual events and claimed the overall title four times (1983, 1985, 1986, and 1988). His 46 victories were a record at the time of his retirement.

Personal Life

Nykänen's personal life was often tumultuous. He faced numerous legal and financial issues, and his struggles with alcohol were well-documented. Despite these challenges, he remained a beloved figure in Finland and the ski jumping community.

Legacy

Matti Nykänen is remembered as one of the greatest ski jumpers of all time. His achievements in the sport set a high standard for future generations. In Finland, he is a national hero, and his legacy continues to inspire young athletes.

Death

Matti Nykänen passed away on 4 February 2019 at the age of 55. His death was widely mourned in Finland and the ski jumping world.

See Also

• Ski jumping
• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
• FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
• FIS Ski Jumping World Cup