Finnish veterans Erja Rinne and Elisa Yli-Hallila set for world championships

Two Finnish veteran athletes, Erja Rinne and Elisa Yli-Hallila, are preparing to compete in the upcoming world championships in South Korea, reports Yle.

Rinne, competing in the over-65 women’s category, and Yli-Hallila, in the over-70s, will take part in the pentathlon throw event, which includes hammer throw, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and weight throw.

Rinne, who began competitive sports in middle age, trains three times a week and aims to break the Finnish hammer throw record in her age group. She has three years left to achieve this goal.

Yli-Hallila took up throwing after retiring a decade ago and has since won multiple championships. She enjoys weight throw the most but competes in the pentathlon. She holds two Finnish records in hammer throw and has won two gold and one silver medal.

Both athletes have traveled internationally for competitions, with Rinne visiting countries like Australia, Brazil, and the United States. They value the camaraderie and fitness that the sport brings.