Tauno Kovanen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameTauno Into•Kovanen
Used nameTauno•Kovanen
Born20 June 1917 in Kuru, Ylöjärvi, Pirkanmaa (FIN)
Died9 February 1986 in Lahti, Päijät-Häme (FIN)
Measurements182 cm / 90 kg
AffiliationsLahden Ahkera, Lahti (FIN)
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Tauno Kovanen took up wrestling in 1947, when he was already 30-years-old, and, five years later, won a surprising bronze medal in the Greco-Roman heavyweight class at the 1952 Olympics, which was his only major international tournament. Domestically, Kovanen never won a Finnish title, capturing Greco-Roman heavyweight silver in 1952 and bronze in 1951, 1953 and 1954, and freestyle heavyweight silver in 1950 and 1953 and bronze in 1951 and 1952. By profession Kovanen was a policeman and twice won the European Police Forces Championships title in heavyweight wrestling.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Wrestling FIN Tauno Kovanen
Heavyweight, Greco-Roman, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze