Much has been made in recent months of the opportunities now for Strongwomen in big competitions around the world, however is this the best time to be a top strongwoman? Finland’s Heini Koivuniemi was competing when Strongwoman was on mainstream TV channels for a brief period in time, lets find out more.
Phil Burgess: You competed in strongwoman for a 10 year period from the late 90’s, and you repeatedly would be on the winners podium, with perhaps the highest title you won being Europe’s Strongest Woman? Is this win/performance the one you are most proud of?
Heini Koivuniemi: Europe’s strongest woman title & WSW 2nd place are most valuable to me.
Phil Burgess: What got you into the sport of strongwoman? Were you competitive in other sports prior?
Heini Koivuniemi: Legendary Jouko Ahola got me into this sport. After the very first training session with him, he signed me up to Finland’s strongest woman competition and he didn’t even ask me if I want to compete or not.
I love competitions and when younger I competed in track and field, cross country skiing, horseback riding and also ju-jutsu.
Phil Burgess: Which competitors did you love competing with the most and why?
Heini Koivuniemi: Jill Mills and Josee Morneau. They are my closest strong woman friends ??
Phil Burgess: Why did you leave the sport of strongwoman? You now play golf, and has your natural strength been an asset to your golf game?
Heini Koivuniemi: They didn’t organize WSW (World’s Strongest Woman) competitions after 2003 and so I lost my biggest interest on strongest woman competitions. When BBC and ESPN were involved (years 2001-2003) it was the ”Golden time” for Strong Woman.
Golf is 99% technique and 1% power ? But it is easier to carry your golfbag when you are strong ?
Phil Burgess: Ok tell me about the Ms Galaxy Europe 1999 win? It seems a weird event with an obstacle course and then a posing routine? How did you get involved in competing in this competition?
Heini Koivuniemi: Timo Kangasluoma (friend to Ilkka Kinnunen and also Jouko Ahola) asked me to compete in Ms.Galaxy. I loved the obstacle course and bikini round was my least favourite.
Phil Burgess: What do you miss most about not competing any more?
Heini Koivuniemi: I miss travelling and meeting friends. I also (kind of) miss my old training habits and dedication on getting better competitor.
Phil Burgess: At World’s Strongest Woman what was it like competing against Jill Mills?
Heini Koivuniemi: It was like competing against Hulk. Incredible Hulk I mean. That green giant. That is how it felt.
Phil Burgess: If you were to go into a time machine and start your strongwoman competing again in the late 90’s, from what you know now, what would you do differently?
Heini Koivuniemi: There’s nothing I would change.
Thanks so much for your time Heini.
