Seppo Nikkari

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSeppo Olavi•Nikkari
Used nameSeppo•Nikkari
Nick/petnamesKaipolan susi
Born6 February 1948 in Pomarkku, Satakunta (FIN)
Died18 April 2022 in Tampere, Pirkanmaa (FIN)
Measurements192 cm / 68-70 kg
AffiliationsKaipolan Vire
NOC Finland

Biography

Seppo Nikkari was a Finnish distance runner who ran the 1972 Olympic marathon, placing 11th. Later in 1972 Nikkari finished the Fukuoka Marathon in 2-14:02.8, setting the Finnish record. His early life was difficult as he developed leukemia when he was only 2-years-old but he was able to overcome the disease.

On 14 October 1973, at the Harju Sports Field in Jyväskylä, Nikkari set a world record for 25 km, running 1-14:55.6, and en route also broke the 15-mile world record, recording 1-12:22.6. Domestically he ran for Kaipola’s Viree, then Pyrinto of Tampere, and later represented Pomarkun Pyry, Tampereen Yritysta and Kunto-Pirkkoja. Nikkari worked for the City of Tampere Sports Department.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-14:02.8 (1972).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics FIN Seppo Nikkari
Marathon, Men (Olympic) 11