1. Overview
Matti Kalervo Sippala (1908-1997) was a prominent Finnish athlete, primarily known for his exceptional skills in the javelin throw. He achieved significant international recognition, securing silver medals at both the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1934 European Championships in Turin. Beyond his javelin prowess, Sippala also demonstrated remarkable versatility in combined track and field events, notably in the pentathlon, where he broke an unofficial world record in 1931. His career is marked by notable victories, including defeating the then-world record holder Matti Järvinen at the 1932 Finnish Olympic trials, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in Finnish athletics during the 1930s.
2. Life
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Matti Kalervo Sippala was born on March 11, 1908, in Hollola, Finland. He was a Finnish national who dedicated his athletic career to track and field, specializing in the javelin throw and combined track and field events. Sippala stood at a height of 6.0 ft (1.83 m) and weighed 185 lb (84 kg) during his competitive years. He represented the Lahden Urheilijat club from Lahti.
2.2. Death
Sippala passed away on August 22, 1997, at the age of 89, in Kotka, Finland.
3. Career
Matti Sippala's athletic career spanned both individual disciplines, primarily the javelin throw, and combined events like the pentathlon and decathlon, where he achieved notable success at the national level.
3.1. Early Career Development
Sippala began his athletic journey competing for the Lahden Urheilijat club in Lahti. An early highlight of his career came at the 1932 Finnish Olympic tryouts, where he defeated the reigning javelin world record holder, Matti Järvinen, with a throw of 230 ft (70.02 m). This victory underscored his potential as a formidable competitor on the international stage.
3.2. Javelin Throw
The javelin throw was Matti Sippala's primary and most successful event, bringing him two major international silver medals and a personal best that placed him among the world's elite.
3.2.1. 1932 Summer Olympics
At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the men's javelin throw competition took place on August 4, 1932, featuring 13 athletes from seven nations in a final-only format. Despite having strained his back during training, Sippala delivered a strong performance. His first attempt measured 224 ft (68.14 m), placing him in third position, just 1.6 in (4 cm) behind Gottfried Weimann of Germany. However, Sippala struggled to improve his mark over the next four rounds, causing his standing to drop. By the fifth round, he had fallen to fourth place after his fellow Finn, Eino Penttilä, achieved a throw of 225 ft (68.7 m). In the sixth and final round, Sippala unleashed a throw of 229 ft (69.8 m), which propelled him from fourth to second place, securing the silver medal. The event was dominated by Matti Järvinen, who threw over 230 ft (70 m) five times, with his best throw reaching 239 ft (72.71 m). Ultimately, Finland achieved a historic sweep of the medals, with Järvinen taking gold, Sippala silver, and Penttilä bronze.
3.2.2. 1934 European Championships
Sippala continued his international success at the 1934 European Championships held in Turin, Italy. In the javelin throw event, he once again secured a silver medal with a throw of 230 ft (69.97 m). As in the Olympics, he finished behind Matti Järvinen, who further solidified his dominance by breaking his own world record during the competition.
3.2.3. Personal Best and Notable Performances
Matti Sippala achieved his personal best throw of 231 ft (70.54 m) in Riga, Latvia, in 1934. This performance, along with his victory over the world record holder Matti Järvinen at the 1932 Finnish Olympic trials with a throw of 230 ft (70.02 m), highlights his consistent ability to compete at the highest level.
3.3. Combined Events
In addition to his primary focus on the javelin throw, Matti Sippala was also a formidable competitor in combined track and field events, showcasing his versatility as an athlete.
3.3.1. Pentathlon
Sippala achieved significant success in the pentathlon, a non-Olympic event during his active years, winning several national titles. At the 1931 Finnish championships, he delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 4083 points. In a closely contested competition, he defeated Paavo Yrjölä, the Olympic decathlon champion. Both Sippala and Yrjölä surpassed the unofficial world record of 4011 points, which had been held by Martti Tolamo.
3.3.2. Decathlon
While not reaching the international elite level in the decathlon, Sippala still secured a silver medal in the event at the 1930 Finnish championships. This achievement further demonstrated his broad athletic capabilities across multiple disciplines.
4. Assessment and Significance
Matti Sippala's career stands as a testament to his versatility and dedication as a Finnish athlete. His two silver medals at the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1934 European Championships firmly established him as one of the leading javelin throwers of his era. His ability to challenge and even defeat the dominant Matti Järvinen at national trials, coupled with his unofficial world record in the pentathlon, underscored his multifaceted talent. Sippala's contributions helped solidify Finland's reputation as a powerhouse in javelin throwing during the 1930s, leaving a lasting legacy in the nation's athletics history.