Taisto Kangasniemi

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameTaisto Ilmari•Kangasniemi
Used nameTaisto•Kangasniemi
Nick/petnamesTatu
Born2 April 1924 in Kankaanpää, Satakunta (FIN)
Died31 October 1997 in Kangasala, Pirkanmaa (FIN)
Measurements186 cm / 100-110 kg
AffiliationsKankaanpään Meno, Kankaanpää (FIN) / Tampereen Painiseura, Tampere (FIN)
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

After World War II, Taisto Kangasniemi was considered the best Finnish heavyweight wrestler for nearly two decades. Thought of as more a Greco-Roman wrestler, he represented his country internationally at both styles, although his only major international tournament medal, bronze at the 1956 Olympics, came in freestyle. In Greco-Roman, he competed at the 1948, 1956 and 1964 Olympics and 1953 World championships, his best finishes being fourth in 1948 and 1953. In freestyle, he competed at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics and 1954 World Championships and, in addition to his 1956 bronze, was sixth in 1952 and 1954. Domestically, Kangasniemi captured eight Finnish titles: in 1950-51, 1953, 1955, and 1962-63 in Greco-Roman and in 1953-54 in freestyle. He also earned 11 Finnish Workers’ Sports Federation championships titles: in 1952-54, 1956, 1959-60 and 1962-64 in Greco-Roman and in 1955 and 1959 in freestyle. Later, Kangasniemi was the president and honorary president of Tampereen Painiseura, a wrestling club he helped found.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Wrestling FIN Taisto Kangasniemi
Heavyweight, Greco-Roman, Men (Olympic) 4
1952 Summer Olympics Wrestling FIN Taisto Kangasniemi
Heavyweight, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 6
1956 Summer Olympics Wrestling FIN Taisto Kangasniemi
Heavyweight, Greco-Roman, Men (Olympic) 6
Heavyweight, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
1964 Summer Olympics Wrestling FIN Taisto Kangasniemi
Heavyweight, Greco-Roman, Men (Olympic) AC