1. Overview
Wilma Anna Helena Murto, born on June 11, 1998, is a prominent Finnish pole vaulter. She has distinguished herself as a top athlete, holding multiple Finnish national records and a world U20 indoor record in the event. Murto achieved significant international success by winning the gold medal at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich and subsequently at the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul, becoming the first Finnish woman to secure a gold medal at the latter event. Her career also includes a bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, further solidifying her position as a leading figure in Finnish athletics.
2. Early Life and Career Start
2.1. Early Life and Education
Wilma Anna Helena Murto was born on June 11, 1998, in Kuusjoki, Finland. Information regarding her specific childhood experiences or educational background is not available in the provided sources. Her coach is Jarno Koivunen.
2.2. International Debut and Early Achievements
Murto made her international debut at the age of sixteen at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics held in Eugene, Oregon, United States. She quickly demonstrated her potential, and on December 27, 2015, she achieved a new personal best of 15 ft (4.45 m), which set a new European youth (under-18s) best.
Her early career was marked by a significant milestone on January 31, 2016, when, at 17 years old, she established a new indoor world junior record (under-20s) by clearing 15 ft (4.71 m) in Zweibrücken, Germany. This remarkable jump also surpassed Minna Nikkanen's previous mark by 4.3 in (11 cm), setting a new Finnish national record at the time.
3. Professional Career
Wilma Murto's professional career has been characterized by periods of both challenge and remarkable success, culminating in multiple international medals and record-breaking performances.
3.1. Career Progression and Record Breaking
Following her early record-breaking achievements, Murto faced a period of struggle with her form. It took until the 2021 season for her to improve upon her previous records. During the Finnish Athletics Championships in 2021, she cleared 15 ft (4.72 m), marking a significant comeback. In the same season, she participated in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she achieved her best senior championship result up to that point, finishing fifth.
The year 2022 proved to be a pivotal one for Murto. At the 2022 European Athletics Championships final in Munich, Germany, she secured her first senior international championship medal, a gold. She improved her outdoor personal best by an impressive 5.1 in (13 cm) to 16 ft (4.85 m). This mark not only set a new Finnish national record but also equaled the championship record previously held by Katerina Stefanidi, who took the silver medal behind Murto in that event. Earlier in 2022, she also placed sixth at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Murto continued her strong performance into 2023. On January 7, 2023, she further improved her own six-year-old Finnish indoor record by clearing a world-leading 16 ft (4.75 m) on her first attempt in Kuortane. She then bettered this record at the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships held in Istanbul, Turkey, in March. There, she soared clear at 16 ft (4.8 m) on her first attempt, earning her another gold medal. This victory was particularly historic, as it made her the first Finnish woman to win a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships. Later in 2023, she won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with a jump of 16 ft (4.8 m). In 2024, Murto placed ninth at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, eighth at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, and sixth at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
3.2. Major Competition Results
Wilma Murto has competed extensively in major international athletics championships, achieving notable results across various events.
3.2.1. Olympic Games
Murto has represented Finland at the Olympic Games on multiple occasions. She competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, placing 24th in the qualification round with a jump of 14 ft (4.3 m). At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she significantly improved her performance, finishing fifth with 15 ft (4.5 m). She continued her Olympic participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished sixth with a jump of 15 ft (4.7 m).
3.2.2. World Athletics Championships
In the senior World Athletics Championships, Murto has consistently performed at a high level. She placed 22nd in the qualification round at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, with 14 ft (4.35 m). At the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, she achieved a sixth-place finish with 15 ft (4.6 m). Her most significant achievement at this level came at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she secured a bronze medal with a jump of 16 ft (4.8 m). She also competed at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, placing ninth with 15 ft (4.55 m).
3.2.3. World Athletics U20 Championships
Murto has also achieved success at the junior level. At the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Eugene, Oregon, she placed 25th in the qualification round with 12 ft (3.75 m). She earned a bronze medal at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a jump of 14 ft (4.4 m).
3.2.4. European Athletics Championships
Her performances at the senior European Athletics Championships include a seventh-place finish at the 2016 European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam with 15 ft (4.45 m), and a 17th-place finish in the qualification round at the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin with 14 ft (4.35 m). Her crowning achievement came at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich, where she won the gold medal with a jump of 16 ft (4.85 m), which also equaled the championship record and set a new Finnish record. In 2024, she placed eighth at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome with 15 ft (4.43 m).
3.2.5. European Athletics Indoor Championships
Murto has a strong record at the European Athletics Indoor Championships. She did not start at the 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Prague. She finished eighth at the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade with 14 ft (4.4 m), and 18th in the qualification round at the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow with 13 ft (4.1 m). She placed sixth at the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń with 15 ft (4.55 m). Her most notable victory in this competition was winning the gold medal at the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul with a jump of 16 ft (4.8 m), setting a new Finnish indoor record.
3.2.6. Other Junior and Youth Championships
Murto's junior career also includes participation in other significant championships. At the 2015 European Athletics Junior Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden, she recorded no height (NH). She secured a bronze medal at the 2017 European Athletics U20 Championships in Grosseto, Italy, with a jump of 14 ft (4.15 m). She also finished fifth at the 2019 European Athletics U23 Championships in Gävle, Sweden, with 14 ft (4.2 m).
3.2.7. European Games
Wilma Murto won a gold medal at the 2023 European Games held in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland, as part of the European Athletics Team Championships individual medalists in pole vault.
3.2.8. European Team Championships
She participated in the 2019 European Athletics Team Championships Super League in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where she placed eighth with a jump of 14 ft (4.21 m).
| Year | Competition | Location | Position | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | World Junior Championships | Eugene, OR, United States | 25th (q) | 12 ft (3.75 m) |
| 2015 | European Indoor Championships | Prague, Czech Republic | - | DNS |
| European Junior Championships | Eskilstuna, Sweden | - | NH | |
| 2016 | European Championships | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 7th | 15 ft (4.45 m) |
| World U20 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 3rd | 14 ft (4.4 m) | |
| Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 24th (q) | 14 ft (4.3 m) | |
| 2017 | European Indoor Championships | Belgrade, Serbia | 8th | 14 ft (4.4 m) |
| European U20 Championships | Grosseto, Italy | 3rd | 14 ft (4.15 m) | |
| 2018 | European Championships | Berlin, Germany | 17th (q) | 14 ft (4.35 m) |
| 2019 | European Indoor Championships | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 18th (q) | 13 ft (4.1 m) |
| European U23 Championships | Gävle, Sweden | 5th | 14 ft (4.2 m) | |
| European Team Championships Super League | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 8th | 14 ft (4.21 m) | |
| World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 22nd (q) | 14 ft (4.35 m) | |
| 2021 | European Indoor Championships | Toruń, Poland | 6th | 15 ft (4.55 m) |
| Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 5th | 15 ft (4.5 m) | |
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, OR, United States | 6th | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| European Championships | Munich, Germany | 1st | 16 ft (4.85 m) | |
| 2023 | European Indoor Championships | Istanbul, Turkey | 1st | 16 ft (4.8 m) |
| World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 3rd | 16 ft (4.8 m) | |
| European Games | Kraków-Małopolska, Poland | 1st | 15 ft (4.71 m) | |
| 2024 | World Indoor Championships | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 9th | 15 ft (4.55 m) |
| European Championships | Rome, Italy | 8th | 15 ft (4.43 m) | |
| Olympic Games | Paris, France | 6th | 15 ft (4.7 m) |
4. Records and National Titles
Wilma Murto holds several significant records and has won numerous national championships throughout her career, underscoring her dominance in Finnish pole vaulting.
4.1. Personal Bests
Murto's personal bests in the pole vault are:
- Outdoor: 16 ft (4.85 m), achieved in Munich in 2022.
- Indoor: 16 ft (4.8 m), achieved in Istanbul in 2023.
- Indoor U20: 15 ft (4.71 m), achieved in Zweibrücken in 2016.
4.2. National Records
Wilma Murto currently holds the Finnish national records for both outdoor and indoor pole vault. Her outdoor record is 16 ft (4.85 m), set in Munich in 2022. Her indoor record is 16 ft (4.8 m), set in Istanbul in 2023. She initially broke the national record in 2016 with her 15 ft (4.71 m) jump.
4.3. World Junior Records
Murto set a world U20 indoor record in the pole vault by clearing 15 ft (4.71 m) in Zweibrücken in 2016.
4.4. National Titles
Wilma Murto has won multiple national championships:
- Finland-Sweden Athletics International: 2023 (pole vault)
- Finnish Athletics Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (pole vault)
- Finnish Indoor Athletics Championships: 2019, 2020 (pole vault)
5. Personal Life
Wilma Anna Helena Murto was born in Kuusjoki, Finland. While her birth name is Wilma Anna Helena Murto, specific details regarding her personal life, family, or hobbies are not publicly available in the provided source documents.
6. Evaluation and Impact
Wilma Murto's career has significantly impacted the sport of pole vaulting, particularly within Finnish athletics. Her consistent performance and record-breaking achievements have established her as one of Finland's most successful track and field athletes. By winning gold medals at both the 2022 European Athletics Championships and the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships, she not only achieved personal milestones but also brought significant national recognition, becoming the first Finnish woman to win a European Indoor Championships gold. Her bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships further cemented her status on the global stage. Murto's journey, from setting a world junior record to overcoming challenges and reaching the pinnacle of European and world athletics, serves as an inspiration and highlights her resilience and dedication to the sport.