Juha Ahokas

Last updated
Juha Ahokas
Personal information
Full nameJuha Matti Ahokas
NicknameNalle
NationalityFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
Born (1969-09-18) 18 September 1969 (age 55)
Kokkola, Finland
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Weight128 kg (282 lb)
Sport
Sport Wrestling
Style Greco-Roman
ClubNurmon Jymy
CoachRisto Ahokas
Medal record
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svgHeinola 1993130 kg
European Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2003 Belgrade120 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg1997 Kouvola125 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2006 Moscow130 kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2002 Seinäjoki130 kg

Juha Matti Ahokas (born September 18, 1969, in Kokkola) is a retired amateur Finnish Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's super heavyweight category. [1] He has won thirty Finnish championship titles, [2] collected four medals (one gold, two silver, and one bronze) at the European Championships, and also represented his nation Finland in four editions of the Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004). Throughout his sporting career, Ahokas trained for Nurmon Jymy Wrestling Club in Seinäjoki under his father and personal coach Risto Ahokas.

Ahokas made his official debut, as an 18-year-old teen, at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he lost the second round of the elimination pool to U.S. wrestler Dennis Koslowski in the men's heavyweight division. Four years later, at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Ahokas competed in the super heavyweight category (130 kg) and slammed Greece's Panagiotis Poikilidis off the mat with a 1–0 sudden death lead to finish strongly in seventh.

Determined to return to the Olympic scene and medal, Ahokas entered the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta as a top medal favorite in the men's 130 kg class. He beat Sweden's Tomas Johansson in his opening match, but suffered a tremendous fall from the unbeatable Russian and reigning Olympic champion Aleksandr Karelin in the third round. [3] Facing off against Ukraine's Petro Kotok in the fourth repechage, Ahokas could not score a single point to subdue his opponent and lost the match with a fourteenth-place finish. [4]

Despite a stunning upset from his third Games, Ahokas took home his first medal at the 1997 European Championships in Kouvola, and continued to flourish his sporting success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, until he wrestled Hungary's Mihály Deák-Bárdos for the gold in the 120-kg division at the 2003 European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. [5]

Eight years after his last Olympics and having missed the previous Games due to back injury, Ahokas qualified for the Finnish squad, as a 34-year-old veteran, in the men's 120 kg class at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Earlier in the process, he received a ticket and rounded out the seventh spot from the 2003 World Wrestling Championships in Créteil, France. [6] Aged and frail, Ahokas lost two straight matches to his former rival Deák-Bárdos (0–3) and Iran's Sajjad Barzi through a 1–2 tight brawl in the prelim pool, finishing only in seventeenth place out of twenty super heavyweight wrestlers. [7] [8]

Ahokas ended his illustrious sporting career with another silver medal at the 2006 European Championships in Moscow, before he officially retired by the following year due to spinal and shoulder injuries sustained in the past. [9] [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleksandr Karelin</span> Russian wrestler and politician

Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin is a Russian politician and retired athlete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finland at the 2004 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Finland competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. Finnish athletes have competed at every Olympic Games since its debut in 1908. The Finnish Olympic Committee sent the nation's smallest ever team to the Games after the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. A total of 53 athletes, 36 men and 17 women, competed only in 12 sports; the nation's team size was roughly denser from Sydney by a quarter of the athletes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rulon Gardner</span> American wrestler (born 1971)

Rulon Ellis Gardner is an American retired Greco-Roman wrestler. He won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games, defeating Russia's three-time reigning Olympic gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin in the final; Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition. Gardner won a bronze medal at the 2004 Games. In 2010, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finland at the 1996 Summer Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Finland competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 76 competitors, 47 men and 29 women, took part in 74 events in 15 sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Ghaffari</span> Olympic Wrestler, Iranian-American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, mixed martial artist

Siamak "Matt" Ghaffari is an Iranian-born American Greco-Roman wrestler, MMA Fighter and professional wrestler. Ghaffari was a two-time USA Olympic team member, obtaining a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. Ghaffari finished his career with the most Greco-Roman World and Olympic medals by a United States wrestler. Ghaffari is considered the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in American history, and is regarded as the standard for Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rıza Kayaalp</span> Turkish sport wrestler (born 1989)

Rıza Kayaalp is a five-time world champion and twelve-time European level champion Turkish wrestler competing in the 130 kg division of Greco-Roman wrestling. He won silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won bronze medals at the 2012 and 2020 Summer Olympics. He is a graduate of the Aksaray University Physical Education and Sports Academy and studies his master's degree at Bozok University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomas Johansson (wrestler)</span> Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler

Tomas Johansson is a Swedish wrestler. He was born in Haparanda. He won an Olympic silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling in 1992, and a bronze medal in 1988. He won a gold medal at the 1986 World Wrestling Championships In 1986 Johansson won the Jerring Award. Johansson's success is overshadowed in controversy after he was found cheating at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He was disqualified, and stripped of his silver medal and later suspended after testing positive for anabolic steroids. He was also a twenty-time Swedish champion, and is considered one of the greatest sportsmen in Swedish history. He was considered to be the dominating force in wrestling until Aleksandr Karelin's arrival in the sport. He ended up being 0–11 against Karelin, with a combined score of 1–74.

Marek Švec is an amateur Greco-Roman wrestler from the Czech Republic. He is a three-time Olympian, and also, a multiple-time medalist at both the World and European Championships. He also won the bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Mihály Deák-Bárdos is a Hungarian amateur Greco-Roman wrestler, who played for the men's super heavyweight category. He is a four-time Olympian, and a six-time medalist at the European Championships. Deák-Bárdos had also won a total of five silver medals at the World Championships, losing out to numerous top-level wrestlers including Alexander Karelin, Rulon Gardner, Khasan Baroyev, and Mijaín López, all of whom were Olympic champions in the same division.

Yannick Szczepaniak is an amateur French Greco-Roman wrestler, who played for the men's super heavyweight category. He is also a two-time Olympian, a ten-time national wrestling champion, and a member of ASSO Sarreguemines Lutte, being coached and trained by Patrice Mourier.

Yuri Evseichik is a retired amateur Israeli Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's super heavyweight category.

Gocha Tsitsiashvili is a retired amateur Israeli Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's light heavyweight category. Considering one of the world's top Greco-Roman wrestlers in his decade, Tsitsiashvili had claimed numerous medals in the international scene, including his prestigious gold from the 2003 World Wrestling Championships, and later represented as part of the Israeli team in three editions of the Olympic Games. Tsitsiashvili also became a member of the Hapoel Be'er Sheva Club under his personal coach Yakov Masin.

Ender Petru Sudureac is a retired amateur Romanian Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's heavyweight category. Sudureac has claimed a silver medal in the 97-kg division at the 1995 World Wrestling Championships, and later represented his nation Romania in two editions of the Olympic Games. Throughout his sporting career, Sudureac trained as part of the Greco-Roman wrestling team for Dinamo București, under his coach Nicolae Zamfir.

Levente Füredy is a retired amateur Hungarian Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's welterweight category. He became a bronze medalist in the 66-kg division at the 2003 World Wrestling Championships, which earned him a ticket to represent Hungary at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Throughout his sporting career, Furedy trained under his personal coach and mentor Ferenc Kiss for Budapesti Vasutas Sport Club in Budapest.

Tamás Berzicza is a retired amateur Hungarian Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's middleweight category. Considered one of the world's top Greco-Roman wrestlers in his decade, Berzicza had claimed two silver medals each at the World and European Championships, and later represented his nation Hungary in three editions of the Olympic Games. Throughout his sporting career, Berzicza trained as part of the wrestling team for Kecskemét Gymnastics Club, under his father and personal coach Ferenc Berzicza.

Sajjad Barzi is a retired amateur Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's super heavyweight category. Barzi has claimed three medals in the 120-kg division at the Asian Championships, and later finished fourth at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Throughout his sporting career, Barzi trained full-time for Hafti Wrestling Club in Tehran, under his head coach Hassan Babak.

Ali Ashkani Aghbolagh is a retired amateur Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler and currently coach of Iranian Greco-Roman wrestling, who competed in the men's lightweight category. He won four Asian Championship medals, picked up a silver in the 60-kg division at the 2005 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and represented Iran in two editions of the Olympic Games, finishing fifth in Sydney and eleventh in Athens respectively. Throughout his sporting career, Ashkani trained full-time for Takhti Wrestling Club in Ardabil under his coach and mentor jafar Damirchi.

Parviz Zeidvand is a retired amateur Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's welterweight category. He won two gold medals at the Asian Championships, picked up a bronze in the 74-kg division at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, and represented Iran in two editions of the Olympic Games. Throughout his sporting career, Zeidvand trained full-time for Rahahan Wrestling Club under his coach and mentor Gholamreza Ghetassi.

Dariusz Jabłoński is a retired amateur Polish Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's featherweight category. Considering one of the world's top Greco-Roman wrestlers in his decade, Jablonski has yielded a remarkable tally of five career medals, including his prestigious gold from the 2003 World Wrestling Championships, and later represented as part of the Polish team in three editions of the Olympic Games. Throughout his sporting career, Jablonski trained for Cement Gryf Wrestling Club in Chełm, under his personal coaches Krzysztof Grabczuk and 1988 Olympic silver medalist Andrzej Głąb.

Teemu Olavi Heino is a Finnish taekwondo practitioner, who competed in the men's heavyweight category. He claimed three medals in the over-84 kg category at the European Championships since 2002, and represented his nation Finland at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Throughout his sporting career, Heino trained full-time for Kokemäen Taekwondo Club in his native Kokemäki, under head coach and master Pia Aaltonen.

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Juha Ahokas". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Ruissalo, Pekka (2021-01-27). "Kotimaa: Painin Suomen-mestaruuden 30 kertaa voittanut Juha Ahokas muutti Tampereelle ja löysi työpaikan suntiona". Tamperelainen (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  3. ↑ Araton, Harvey (23 July 1996). "Atlanta: Day 4 – Wrestling; Karelin Puts His Shoulder Into Tough Victory". New York Times . Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Atlanta 1996: Wrestling – Men's Greco-Roman 130kg" (PDF). Atlanta 1996 . LA84 Foundation. p. 206. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Juha Ahokas wrestles to gold in European Championships". Helsingin Sanomat. 26 May 2003. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Abbott, Gary (28 July 2004). "Olympic Games preview at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. in men's Greco-Roman". USA Wrestling . The Mat. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Wrestling: Men's Greco-Roman 120kg". Athens 2004 . BBC Sport. 15 August 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Ahokas joutuu heti kovaan kyytiin" [Ahokas has been immediately picked up by the mighty] (in Finnish). Turun Sanomat. 25 August 2004. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "Ahokas lopettaa painiuransa" [Ahokas ends his wrestling career] (in Finnish). Turun Sanomat. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Juha Ahokas jättää painimolskit" [Juha Ahokas leaves wrestling] (in Finnish). MTV Finland. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.