Kerttu Niskanen Named Athlete of the Year in Kainuu; Hall of Fame Inclusion for Hockey Champion Janne Pesonen

Kerttu Niskanen has been recognized as Kainuu's Athlete of the Year at the Kainuu Sports Gala, which took place for the 15th time on January 15, 2025. Held in Kajaani, this gala celebrated the achievements of Kainuu athletes and their supporters throughout 2024. Niskanen had a remarkable year, finishing third in the 2024 Tour de Ski series and fifth overall in the cross-country skiing World Cup, as well as winning three individual Finnish championships during the season.

The Young Athlete of the Year award went to Eero Sorsa, from Suomussalmi, who earned silver in the youth orienteering world championships in Austria. The award for Coach of the Year was given to Iiro Haimi, the team leader of Sotkamo Jymy, the Superpesä team that won the Finnish championship.

A new award called the 'Year's Sports Facility' was presented to the municipality of Paltamo, recognizing the newly opened fitness stairs completed in the fall of 2024.

For the first time, the Hall of Fame inclusion for Kainuu sports honored Janne Pesonen, who was part of Finland’s 2011 ice hockey world championship team. Born in Suomussalmi, Pesonen started his hockey career with Kuhmon Kiva.

Winners at Kainuu Sports Gala 2025: - Lifetime Achievement Award: Unto Väisänen - Athlete of the Year: Kerttu Niskanen - Young Athlete of the Year: Eero Sorsa - Coach of the Year: Iiro Haimi - Team of the Year: Sotkamon Jymyn Superpesis Team - Sports Club of the Year: Kainuu Hockey Team - Year's Sports Facility Award: Paltamo's fitness stairs - Club Contributor of the Year: Jari Sissonen - Supporter of the Year: VuokattiSport

Notable Mentions in Sports from the Districts: - Hyrynsalmi: Ukkohalla Ski Resort, Teemu Muhonen and Janne Keränen - Kajaani: Kajaanin Suunnistajien Vappurastit - Kuhmo: Eläkeliiton Kuhmon yhdistys ry, Ketterät - Ristijärvi: Pirjo Saarinen and Leila Karppinen - and more.