eGate proudly supports Teijo Kööpikkä, a Finnish athlete gearing up for a pivotal year in shot put. The summer’s key events are the Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe, Japan, at the end of May, and the Paralympic Games in Paris, France, in early September.

2023 marked Teijo’s return to competitive sports after an 18-year break due to a muscle disease that ended his initial career as a non-disabled shot-put athlete in 2005. Despite this setback, Teijo’s determination led him to re-emerge as an F57-class para-athlete, culminating in a joyful bronze medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships.

As he prepares for the 2024 Paralympics in France, Teijo’s training is on track, and recent tests indicate significant physical improvements over the previous season. While his next goal at the World Championships in Kobe Japan this Spring is to secure a medal, his primary focus is on the Paralympics in September, where he aims to achieve his best performance and potentially compete for the gold medal.

eGate is honored to sponsor Teijo Kööpikkä, and we wish him the best as he trains for this crucial year in his career. With his determination and spirit, we’re confident he’ll continue to inspire and achieve greatness. Good luck, Teijo, and we look forward to seeing you in action in the upcoming competitions!

Photo: Anssi Mäkinen