Erki Nool tells what is wrong with Saga Vanni

The shoulder has been bothering me for over a year, and the ankle does not allow hurdles.

For example, overfitness and unsuccessful training have been used as additional reasons for Vanninen’s low grade, which upsets the coach Erki Noolia.

According to the Estonian, looking for a scandal is pointless because “there is no such thing”.

“Due to injuries, I have had to constantly adapt. It is impossible to make or implement a proper plan if your health is monitored day after day,” says Nool on the phone.

“It’s very simple. If you can’t do what you want, you can’t be as good or better than last year.”

Nool points out that Vanninen has suffered from injuries before: a bad back problem overshadowed the 2024 Olympic season, and the 15th place in the Olympic match was disappointing.

My hamstring bothered me last summer, even though I got results.

“Saga is not the type to complain and doesn’t like to talk about his injuries in public. You can understand that in a young athlete, because minor problems go away more easily. At some point, you have to accept that only a break will help.”

of Austria Götzis’ legendary match event was missed by Vannis at the end of May, after which the eyes were directed to Ratingen in Germany a month later.

Mixed the athlete and the coach were disappointed when they found out at the beginning of June that Vanninen would have to take a break. For a long time, there had been hope that the shoulder and ankle would recover with replacement training.

It never happened.

“Saga informed me about ending his season. He had come to that conclusion after talking to various parties.”

In Nooli’s opinion, the decision was the right one, because dreams of success in the EC match in Birmingham had to be forgotten.

“How could you set records in August if you take a month off now? No way. If you can’t set records, it’s not worth going to the honor races.”

Vannen transferred to Nooli’s coaching in the fall of 2024. The first winter of management went perfectly: gold in the pentathlon of the world and European championships. The big jump in results was due to the fact that the Estonian ran Vanninen’s record in track events.

Last summer’s heptathlons also went gloriously: Finland’s record 6,563 points in the under-23 European Championship gold match in Bergen, Norway, and seventh place in the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Although the shoulder injury interferes with the performance itself mainly in the javelin and shot put, its consequences extend far into basic training.

Among other things, jumping is an excellent movement for developing the basic explosiveness of an all-around athlete. When the ideal gym training is not successful, Vanninen gives too much compensation. The differences at the absolute top of the world are so small.

“If you lose five percent of the power”, it doesn’t necessarily sound like much, but it especially affects self-confidence.

Records and development motivate each athlete, but their appearance as an impossibility undermines self-confidence.

The lack of it was visible in Vanninen’s performances this year.

“If you know that you are not necessarily on track for a record in any sport”, competing is psychologically difficult.

“Saga is not really in bad shape. He could easily run his record at 800 meters.”

Nool has noticed that Vanninen’s body was not created to throw a spear. The Finn is stiffer than the natural viscose, which is why the shoulder also gets angry more easily.

Vanninen has thrown his javelin record 49.22 meters five years ago. According to the coach, Olympic gold or even a medal requires “in the name of honesty, big development”.

“Over 50 meters you have to fly easily. However, achieving this requires pain-free training because the sport is so aggressive.”

of Birmingham The EC competitions are the highlight of the athletics season for Finnish athletes.

Although Vanninen’s goal was to be successful in August, if anything, this season is one that can be sacrificed in the hope of a better future. The World Cup is held every other year and the Olympics twice as often.

“I hope my best years are still ahead,” Vanninen reminded the Sports Association in the bulletin.

Vanninen will be 25 years old at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years. The five-ring races are the big picture that Nooli and Vanninen’s cooperation is aiming for.

“The break comes in a good place. Two years may sound like a lot, but if the next year is also painful, fighting for a medal becomes difficult.”

The Estonian coach celebrated the decathlon Olympic gold in Sydney 2000. He has first-hand experience when a prolonged injury ruins an important competition.

“My Achilles hurt a year and a half before the Athens Olympics in 2004. I tried to force myself to train without rehabilitation, and the result was eighth place, which is pretty miserable.”

Competition break to give Vanni the peace to strengthen her middle body, the development of which was Nooli’s first goal for her protégé. The coach demands higher and higher power levels from Vannis, even if he succeeds, he is the best shot putter among the elite competitors.

The duo recently received good news when recent magnetic resonance imaging showed no need for surgery. According to Nooli, there is no exact information on how long Vanninen’s recovery will take.

What is certain, however, is that success already in the next government term is a realistic goal.

“If the next competition is, for example, at the end of January”, there is no rush for anything.