A Finnish wrestler and coach who won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals, and later trained several successful wrestlers.
Yrj Saarela, a Finnish wrestling legend, left an indelible mark on the sport with his remarkable achievements, including an Olympic gold medal and a world championship title. Born on July 13, 1884, Saarela's wrestling prowess earned him a place in the annals of Finnish sporting history.
Saarela's wrestling journey began in 1906 under the guidance of Carl Alln, a renowned coach. By 1908, he had established himself as a force to be reckoned with, earning a spot on the Finnish Olympic team without trials.
Saarela's Olympic debut in 1908 was marked by controversy. He won the silver medal, but rumors swirl around his loss in the final to Weckman, with some speculating that Weckman bribed Saarela to throw the match. Modern sportswriters Arto Teronen and Jouko Vuolle believe there is sufficient circumstantial evidence to support this claim.
In 1911, Saarela claimed the world championship title in the over 83 kg class, solidifying his position as a global wrestling powerhouse. He also won the Finnish national heavyweight championship in 1908 and 1909.
The 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, saw Saarela win the gold medal in a double-elimination tournament. However, his victory was not without controversy. Saarela withdrew from the fifth round, feigning a knee injury, allowing Olin to advance. Olin returned the favor by letting Saarela win the gold medal match, despite being exhausted from a three-hour bout against Jensen.
After the 1912 Games, Saarela briefly turned professional, wrestling in international circuses touring Finland. However, in 1924, his amateur status was reinstated.
In 1929, at the age of 44, Saarela made a remarkable comeback, winning the Finnish national heavyweight championship bronze medal.
In the 1930s, Saarela served as a regional coaching consultant in the Finnish Wrestling Federation. His contributions to Finnish sports were acknowledged in 1948, when he received the Cross of Merit in gold from the Ministry of Education. His Olympic medals are now part of the Sports Museum of Finland's collection.
Saarela was born Yrj Sarkkinen to Jaakko Sarkkinen and Maria Sunila. He later adopted the surname Saarela after his family purchased a farm of that name. He married Ester Elisabeth Markuksela in 1910 and had four children: Aino Kyllikki, Ahti Johannes, Erkko Olavi, and MarjaLiisa.
Saarela's remarkable wrestling career, marked by triumphs and controversies, has left an enduring legacy in the world of Finnish sports.
Born in 1878
A renowned Finnish poet and journalist, celebrated for his lyrical and expressive works that explored themes of love, nature, and Finnish identity. His poetry is still widely read and studied in Finland today.
