William Kanerva

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameYrjö William•Kanerva
Used nameWilliam•Kanerva
Nick/petnamesVili
Born26 November 1902 in Impilakhti, Respublika Kareliya (RUS)
Died10 October 1956 in Helsinki, Uusimaa (FIN)
AffiliationsHelsingin Palloseura, Helsinki (FIN)
NOC Finland

Biography

Vili Kanerva was born in the southeast corner of the former Grand Duchy of Finland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. After World War II, this part of Finland was ceded to the Soviet Union (now Russia). From 1919-23 Kanerva played for Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK) winning his first Finnish Championship at age 16. After his transfer to local rival Helsingin Palloseura (HPS) he helped the club win five national championships in 1927, 1929, 1932, and 1934-35. Internationally, he earned 51 caps between 1922-38, scoring 13 goals, to become the first Finnish international with more than 50 caps. In the Olympic tournament he scored one of Finland’s goals as a halfback in their loss to Peru. In his youth, Kanerva was also an excellent speed skater, winning the Finnish junior championship in 1920.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Football (Football) FIN William Kanerva
Football, Men (Olympic) Finland =9