Kamga wants to put on a show in the Finnkampen

With an extremely small margin, Sweden won the Finnkampen last year, both on the women's and men's sides. It can be just as even this year, as Olympic Games five Vanessa Kamga comes to Helsinki as one of the biggest Swedish names. It's going to be fun and I hope to be able to put on a little show, she says.

» Updated: September 04 2024

» Published: August 30 2024

Kamga wants to put on a show in the Finnkampen
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Share this article

The discus thrower made a brilliant Olympic Games debut as she seemingly effortlessly set a Swedish record in the qualifying round (65.15) and was in second place after the first round of the final (65.05).

In the absence of Olympic gold medalist Armand Duplantis, Vanessa Kamga is the top Swedish Olympic track and field athlete in the Finnkampen.

I haven't had time to think about that. But I'm looking forward to competing in blue and yellow again, I hope to put on a little show. I'm still in good form, she says.

At the same time, it's late in the season and I'm not putting any pressure on myself.

Wants to lift the team

The 25-year-old started the competition season back in March and feels that it's been a long season with both the European Championship (fifth) and the Olympic Games (fifth). But the Finnkampen means something extra.

It's not often that you get to be part of a team this big. Here, you get to meet all your track and field friends that you might not have seen all season. And you get to watch your teammates compete since you're only up in your own event one day. The other day, you can lift the team, it's special.

She's of course going for victory in her own discus event tonight.

I want to do the things I want to do in the throw, if I do that, it'll be good, she says.

She dares not predict how the competition will go.

It's going to be extremely close, no matter how it goes.

Swedish sisu

National team coach Kajsa Bergqvist also believes it's going to be as close and exciting as last year when the competition was decided in favor of Sweden, both in the women's and men's events, in the final events.

It was one of the most incredible team efforts I've experienced in this individual sport. The incredible fighting spirit and glow that everyone showed. We'll try to muster that Swedish sisu again this year, says Bergqvist.

When it's this close, every centimeter and every hundredth will decide.

The first Finnkampen was held in 1925, in Helsinki, with only male competitors. Women were allowed to participate for the first time in 1951.

Finland has an advantage in terms of wins on the men's side, 46–37, while Sweden's women have 48–25 in terms of wins.

Last year in Stockholm, it was very close. The men's competition ended 227–227 and Sweden won due to more event wins. Sweden's women won with 228.5–225.5.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match
2 MIN READ

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown
2 MIN READ

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia
1 MIN READ

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final
1 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk
1 MIN READ

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer
3 MIN READ

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final
1 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification
1 MIN READ

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club
1 MIN READ

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery
1 MIN READ

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football
1 MIN READ

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari
2 MIN READ

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain
2 MIN READ

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division