Jani Peltopuro

JANI PELTOPURO

Handbike
Jani Peltopuro
"Bend but never break – never give up"
#TeamSunrise

ENJOYING THE DIFFICULTIES

15 years after my accident, in 2004 I found a paralympic sport that really appealed to me with its’ speed and difficulty: handcycling. Being the first Finnish handcyclist to compete internationally from 2009 onwards, my dream was to make it to Paralympics. I missed out on London 2012 but kept working hard and managed to qualify for Rio, where I finished 8th in the 60 km Road race. I love the sport and keep working to be in the fight for the top positions in Tokyo 2020.

Competition on the highest level is like life in a nutshell: you need to give it absolutely everything. And to succeed, keep going when others think about quitting. To be able to do that, you need to live in the moment and enjoy even the difficulties.

#TeamSunrise

FATHER, ENGINEER AND ATHLETE

I played ice hockey with passion all my childhood, but when I was injured in a motorcycle accident at 16 years age resulting in paraplegia, that sport ended for me. Soon after rehabilitation I continued my education and also continued with sports in wheelchair racing reaching some success in Finnish national championships. After a while, I decided to focus on studies instead. I finished my Masters’ in Engineering and started my career successfully in a large engineering company.

My challenge as an athlete is the triple life of a father, an engineer and an athlete. My wife and kids, aged 9 and 6, completely support the sports, and family life is a good balance on the hectic work and on stress of high-level sports.

"I just love the speed and feeling of freedom when cycling."
My sports wheelchair
"I enjoy speed in all its forms, particularly motor sports and handcycling - so my QUICKIE Shark handbike is ideal for me. It is fast, stable and good-looking!"
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My everyday wheelchair
"Lightweight, stable to ride and good lucking - what isn't there to like about my QUICKIE Krypton R wheelchair?"

Road to Glory

2019
Festos C1 Paracycling, Greece

2nd place

2019
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2019
SMACK C1 Paracycling, Sweden

2nd place

2018
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2018
SMACK C1 Paracycling, Sweden

2nd place

2017
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2016
Paralympic Games (Rio)
Time Trial - 10th Place
Cycling Road - 8th Place
2015
C1 Race (Greece)
Winner
2014
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2013
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2012
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2011
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place

2010
National Championship (Finland)

Road cycling - 1st place

Time Trial - 1st place