Born on 25th September 1949. Teacher of PE, speaks five languages. He is the Vice President of the Finnish Weightlifting Federation. EWF Committee member. First elected to the IWF SRC in 2005, now his funtion was prolonged for another term. One of themost reliable and experienced technical experts. He is an often empolyed lecturer at courses all over the world, mainly in Africa.

- How did you start your sports career?
- My "career" in weightlifting started in 1966 when I was 17. I was a active sportsman. After starting my studies in PE in 1970  weightlifting remained a little bit in the background.
Year 1975:  I was selected as the first full time employee in Finnish Weightlifting Federation by title "Chief of coaching and education" In that capacity I worked for 14 years up to 1988.

- How did you start your international career?

- My two terms in development were; first 1988-1992 and the other 1998-2001. Both assignments were in Tanzania as a Project Director in Finnish Governement funded NGO projects. First by name "Sports for All" and the other "Marangu Trail Improvement Project in Kilimanjaro National Park".During these years I was mostly absent from weightlifting.  All the other years I have worked for Finnish Weightlifting Federation member of various commmittees, board member, vice president and so on. Additionally I have been a lecturer in many IOC Olympic Solidarity weightlifting courses all over the world. As a TO I have worked in many international events since 1981.

- Where do you work for weightlifting nowadays?
-  I am a member in IWF CRC and EWF STC.

- What field do you think needs the strongest support during the coming years?
- I expect weightlifting sport to be in future Olympic movement. What we need to do and realise is the change of attitude in case of doping.  Otherwise we will be in eternal threat of loosing the good image and position in the most universal movement in the world.