Joona Puhakka retains 1-metre springboard title at European Swimming Championships

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Finland's Joona Puhakka, 24, brought home the country's first gold medal from the European Swimming Championships currently being held in Budapest, Hungary. Puhakka retained his 1-metre springboard title from 2004 in a competition that was both exciting and of a very high standard.
      In the nerve-shattering final Puhakka amassed 425.00 points (67.60, 58.50, 79.50, 63.00, 76.50, 79.90), followed by Russia's Alexander Dobroskok (416.60) and Italy's Christopher Sacchin (415.70). The fact that Illya Kvasha of Ukraine, who led for a long time but eventually came in fourth, also rustled up over 400 points, speaks of the high level of the competition. Puhakka had to be at his best on his final jump even to secure a medal.
      Puhakka's personal best, 441.78 points, is from the World Championships final in Montreal last year, when he finished 4th. He also has a bronze medal from the 2003 Worlds.
     
Apparently the tighter the competition, the better Puhakka performs. After the second round Puhakka found himself down in fourth place, when he slightly missed the mark in his hitherto strongest dive.
      Gradually he clawed his way back to second spot, and the fifth round's 2.5-somersault gainer in the tuck position earned him the lead.
      "This was one of those back-and-forth competitions. I knew I had to succeed with the last jump. Winning the title was definitely harder than in Madrid two years ago. The backward 2.5 somersaults did not come out the way I wanted", Puhakka analysed after the event.
     
Before the competition, Puhakka, who is studying marketing for a business major at Arizona State University, spent a relaxing two-month summer holiday in Finland.
      In Arizona, Puhakka is coached by American Mark Bradshaw. For the summer months, Finnish Pentti Koskinen takes over coaching duties.
      "I'm grateful to Pentti for helping me out during the summer season. He got me into fine shape", said Puhakka, whose long-term goal is to be the Olympic champion in Beijing.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  European Champion Joona Puhakka knows how to take things easy (18.5.2004)

Links:
  Joona Puhakka at Arizona State
  European Swimming Championships 2006, Budapest

Helsingin Sanomat