Sport in Estonia
Encyclopedia
Sport
plays an important role in Estonian
culture. Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics
, although the National Olympic Committee
was established in 1923. Estonian athletes took part of the Olympic Games
until the country was annexed by the Soviet Union
in 1940. The 1980 Summer Olympics
sailing regatta
was held in the capital city Tallinn
. Estonia has won most of her Olympic medals in weightlifting, wrestling
and cross-country skiing
.
came in second on the marathon at the 1920 Olympics. Aleksander Klumberg won the bronze medal in 1924 in the men's decathlon
competition. Between 2000–2009, Estonia scored at least one medal in major international competition in every year: 2000
, 2001
, 2002, 2003
, 2004
, 2005
, 2006, 2007
, 2008
, 2009
. Before that, Erki Nool
won the gold medal in 1998
was at the 1936 Olympic Games
.
is also home to a unique variant of the game in Ice Cricket
. The Ice Cricket World Championship is held annually in the Estonian city of Tallinn
and is played upon the surface of a frozen lake. These tournaments are now sponsored by Bulmers Original Cider, Scottish & Newcastle, and they last from January until late March.
The year 2007 saw the formation of the Estonian cricket league
. The league consists of four Tallinn based teams who compete in a round robin format. Players who are members of the Estonian Cricket League are eligible to be selected for the National side.
Oksana Jermakova became the first fencing
World Champion for Estonia winning Individual Épée in 1993
. Irina Embrich
has won some medals in past years, but unfortunately failed to qualify to 2008 Olympics. Nikolai Novosjolov
was the only Estonian fencer to compete at 2008 Olympics
and became world champion in 2010
.
Estonia has won 10 World Fencing Championships medals and several European Fencing Championships
medals.
is gaining popularity in Estonians because of some recent success of men's national team. Estonia national floorball team finished 2008 World Championships
with 8th place and reached Quarterfinals in 2010
.
is pretty popular in Estonia. One reason is Jüri Jaanson
, but there are also other well-known rowers in Estonia. Between 2004–2009, Estonia scored at least one medal in major international competition in every year: 2004
, 2005, 2006, 2007
, 2008
, 2009
.
and Toomas Tõniste
competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. They won a silver and a bronze medal in the Men's 470 Class, for the Soviet Union (silver, 1988) and for Estonia (bronze, 1992).
is a popular skiing resort. Otepää is also known as the "winter capital" of Estonia (in contrast to the "summer capital" Pärnu
). It is also the annual Cross-country skiing World Cup event. 2011 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships
was held in Otepää also.
In 2000, Raul Olle won Vasaloppet
, which is considered as one of the oldest, one of the longest, and in popular consideration the biggest cross-country ski race in the world.
1999 was the year, when Estonian skier found success at international level, winning medal at World Championships
. Estonia has won 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal at the Winter Olympic Games
.
Andrus Veerpalu
, Kristina Šmigun
and Jaak Mae
are one of the most popular athletes in Estonia. Skiing is very popular in Estonia.
was also very popular and successful field of sport for Estonia in past. In 2006
Heiki Nabi
became the first amateur wrestling
World Champion for his home country. But wrestling was the most successful Olympic event for Estonia between 1920–1936.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
plays an important role in Estonian
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
culture. Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
, although the National Olympic Committee
Estonian Olympic Committee
The Estonian Olympic Committee is responsible for the Estonia's participation in the Olympic Games.-History:The Estonian Sports Federation decided to form Estonian Olympic Committee in the First Estonian Sport Congress on 30 November 1919, one and a half years after the proclamation of the...
was established in 1923. Estonian athletes took part of the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
until the country was annexed by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1940. The 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
sailing regatta
Sailing at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad . With the exception of 1904 and possible 1916 sailing was always a part of the Olympic program....
was held in the capital city Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
. Estonia has won most of her Olympic medals in weightlifting, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
Track and field athletics
Track and field athletics is gaining popularity in Estonians shown by some of the recent success in this field of sport. Jüri LossmannJüri Lossmann
Jüri Lossmann was an Estonian long distance runner.Lossmann came in second on the marathon at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, at 2:32:48.6 trailing Hannes Kolehmainen by 13 seconds but beating the third place Valerio Arri by almost 4 minutIn the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris he came in 10th...
came in second on the marathon at the 1920 Olympics. Aleksander Klumberg won the bronze medal in 1924 in the men's decathlon
Athletics at the 1924 Summer Olympics – Men's decathlon
The men's decathlon event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1924 Summer Olympics. It was the fourth appearance of a decathlon at the Olympics...
competition. Between 2000–2009, Estonia scored at least one medal in major international competition in every year: 2000
Athletics at the 2000 Summer Olympics
At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, 46 events in athletics were contested, 24 for men and 22 for women. There were a total number of 2134 participating athletes from 193 countries.-Men's events:...
, 2001
2001 World Championships in Athletics
The 8th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada between 3 August and 12 August and was the first time the event had visited North America...
, 2002, 2003
2003 World Championships in Athletics
The 9th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held from 23 August to 31 August 2003 in the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, France.-Track:...
, 2004
Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, the athletics events were held at the Athens Olympic Stadium from August 18 to August 29, except for the marathons , the race walks , and the shot put...
, 2005
2005 World Championships in Athletics
The 10th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations , were held in the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland , the site of the first IAAF World Championships in 1983. One theme of the 2005 championships was paralympic sports, some of...
, 2006, 2007
2007 World Championships in Athletics
The 11th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations , were held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan from 24 August to 2 September 2007...
, 2008
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics were held during the last 10 days of the games, from August 15 to August 24, 2008, at the Beijing National Stadium. The Olympic sport of athletics is split into four distinct sets of events: track and field events, road running events, and racewalking...
, 2009
2009 World Championships in Athletics
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate....
. Before that, Erki Nool
Erki Nool
Erki Nool is an Estonian decathlete and politician.Nool is a winner of the gold medal for Decathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Although Nool did not place first in any individual event, his total score was the highest...
won the gold medal in 1998
- Notable track and field athletes in Estonia: Erki NoolErki NoolErki Nool is an Estonian decathlete and politician.Nool is a winner of the gold medal for Decathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Although Nool did not place first in any individual event, his total score was the highest...
, Gerd KanterGerd KanterGerd Kanter is an Estonian discus thrower. He was the 2007 World Champion in the event and won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics...
, Andrus VärnikAndrus VärnikAndrus Värnik is an Estonian javelin thrower. His personal best set in 2003, 87.83 m, is also the Estonian record....
, Aleksander TammertAleksander TammertAleksander Tammert is an Estonian discus thrower.-Athletics career:Tammert competed at the 2004 Olympics and originally finishing fourth, but as gold medal winner Róbert Fazekas was disqualified, Tammert received the bronze medal...
, Pavel LoskutovPavel LoskutovPavel Loskutov is a former Estonian long-distance runner who specialized in marathon races. He has competed in the Olympic marathon race four times consecutively, from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to the 2008 Beijing Games.In 2001, he won the Göteborgsvarvet half marathon in Gothenburg with a time of...
, Jüri LossmannJüri LossmannJüri Lossmann was an Estonian long distance runner.Lossmann came in second on the marathon at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, at 2:32:48.6 trailing Hannes Kolehmainen by 13 seconds but beating the third place Valerio Arri by almost 4 minutIn the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris he came in 10th...
, Aleksander Klumberg
Cycling
- Jaan KirsipuuJaan KirsipuuJaan Kirsipuu is an Estonian road bicycle racer, living in Estonia. Kirsipuu initially retired at the end of the 2006, but participated in the 2007 Estonian championship, becoming time trial champion for the sixth time. In 2008 he was the manager of Latvian UCI Continental cycling team Rietumu...
has been the best Estonian road bicycle racer. He has won 4 Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
stages and 1 Vuelta a EspañaVuelta a EspañaThe Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
stage. Jaan kirsipuu also wore the yellow jerseyYellow jerseyThe general classification in the Tour de France is the most important classification, the one by which the winner of the Tour de France is determined. Since 1919, the leader of the general classification wears the yellow jersey .-History:...
for six days in 1999 Tour de France1999 Tour de FranceThe 1999 Tour de France was the 86th Tour de France, taking place from July 3 to July 25, 1999. It was won by Lance Armstrong, his first of 7 consecutive wins, the most in Tour history. There were no French stage winners for the first time since the 1926 Tour de France.The 1999 edition of Tour de...
.
- Rein TaaramäeRein TaaramäeRein Taaramäe is an Estonian road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental cycling team .-Career:Taaramäe turned professional in 2008 for after riding for the team as a stagiaire in late 2007 and winning a stage at the Circuit des Ardennes early in the season. In 2008 he won two stages of...
finished 2011 Tour de France2011 Tour de France-Pre-race favourites:2010 winner Alberto Contador was suspended from cycling during a doping investigation from September 2010 to February 2011, during which time 2010 runner-up Andy Schleck was regarded as the favourite. When the suspension was lifted, Contador declared his desire to compete in...
in 12th place and won the 14th stage of 2011 Vuelta a España2011 Vuelta a EspañaThe 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country...
- Erika SalumäeErika SalumäeErika Salumäe is an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia after the country regained its independence in 1991.She was born in Pärnu. She trained at VSS Kalev in Tallinn...
is an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia after the country regained its independence in 1991.
Basketball
Estonia national basketball teamEstonia national basketball team
The Estonian National Basketball Team is the basketball team that represents Estonia in international competitions.-Eurobasket 1937:The Estonians took fifth place, with an overall record of 3–2, at the second European basketball championship, the Eurobasket 1937 held by the International Basketball...
was at the 1936 Olympic Games
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
.
Beach volleyball
- Kristjan KaisKristjan KaisKristjan Kais is an Estonian beach volleyball player. With teammate Rivo Vesik, he represented Estonia in beach volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.-Achievements:-Overall FIVB World Tour results:-External links:...
/Rivo VesikRivo VesikRivo Vesik is a Estonian beach volleyball player. With teammate Kristjan Kais, he represented Estonia in beach volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.-Achievements:-Overall FIVB World Tour results:...
were playing at FIVB World TourSwatch FIVB World TourThe Swatch FIVB Beach Volley World Tour is an intercontinental beach volleyball tour....
. In 2007Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007The Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007 is an international beach volleyball competition.The tour consists of 12 tournaments with both genders and 10 separate gender tournaments....
they won Zagreb Open and competed at 2008 Summer Olympics.
Cricket
EstoniaEstonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
is also home to a unique variant of the game in Ice Cricket
Ice cricket
An international ice cricket tournament has been played on Lake St. Moritz since 1988 and now in Estonia every year since 2004. The inventor of the Estonian version is credited to Jason Barry, a British ex-pat and former Estonian cricket president who was determined to increase the visibility of...
. The Ice Cricket World Championship is held annually in the Estonian city of Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
and is played upon the surface of a frozen lake. These tournaments are now sponsored by Bulmers Original Cider, Scottish & Newcastle, and they last from January until late March.
The year 2007 saw the formation of the Estonian cricket league
Estonian cricket league
The Estonian Cricket League was formed in 2007 and takes place in Tallinn, Estonia.The league currently consists of four teams in one division, but there are plans to expand the league to six or possibly eight teams in the next four years...
. The league consists of four Tallinn based teams who compete in a round robin format. Players who are members of the Estonian Cricket League are eligible to be selected for the National side.
Fencing
Fencing has been very successful for Estonia in past few decades.Oksana Jermakova became the first fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
World Champion for Estonia winning Individual Épée in 1993
1993 World Fencing Championships
The 1993 World Fencing Championships were held in Essen, Germany.-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal table:-References:*...
. Irina Embrich
Irina Embrich
Irina Embrich is an Estonian épée fencer.Embrich won the silver medal at the épée 2006 World Fencing Championships after she lost the final 15-11 versus Tímea Nagy.-References:...
has won some medals in past years, but unfortunately failed to qualify to 2008 Olympics. Nikolai Novosjolov
Nikolai Novosjolov
Nikolai Novosjolov is a Estonian fencer.He won a silver medal in the team Épée competition at the 2001 World Championships in Nîmes and a gold medal in in the Épée competition at the 2010 World Championships in Paris.-Orders:...
was the only Estonian fencer to compete at 2008 Olympics
Fencing at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's épée
The men's épée fencing competition at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 10 at the Olympic Green Convention Centre.The épée competition consisted of a six-round single-elimination bracket with a bronze medal match between the two semifinal losers...
and became world champion in 2010
2010 World Fencing Championships
The 2010 World Fencing Championships were held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France 4–13 November.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:- Participating nations :...
.
Estonia has won 10 World Fencing Championships medals and several European Fencing Championships
European Fencing Championships
The European Fencing Championships is an annual competition organized by the Confédération européenne d'escrime.- Host cities :*1981 : Foggia *1982 : Mödling *1983 : Lisbon *1991 : Vienna *1992 : Lisbon *1993 : Linz *1994 : Krakow *1995 : Keszthely...
medals.
- Notable fencers in Estonia: Oksana Jermakova, Nikolai NovosjolovNikolai NovosjolovNikolai Novosjolov is a Estonian fencer.He won a silver medal in the team Épée competition at the 2001 World Championships in Nîmes and a gold medal in in the Épée competition at the 2010 World Championships in Paris.-Orders:...
, Irina EmbrichIrina EmbrichIrina Embrich is an Estonian épée fencer.Embrich won the silver medal at the épée 2006 World Fencing Championships after she lost the final 15-11 versus Tímea Nagy.-References:...
, Sven JärveSven JärveSven Järve is an Estonian épée fencer.Jarve won the bronze medal at the épée 2006 World Fencing Championships after he lost 15-12 to Joaquim Videira in the semi final.-Record Against Selected Opponents:...
, Kaido Kaaberma, Maarika Võsu
Floorball
FloorballFloorball
Floorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Floorball is most popular in areas where the sport has developed the longest, such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The game is played...
is gaining popularity in Estonians because of some recent success of men's national team. Estonia national floorball team finished 2008 World Championships
2008 Men's World Floorball Championships
The 2008 Men's World Floorball Championships were the seventh world championships in men's floorball. The tournament was held from December 6th to December 14th, 2008. The tournament took place in the cities of Prague and Ostrava...
with 8th place and reached Quarterfinals in 2010
2010 Men's World Floorball Championships
The 2010 Men's World Floorball Championships was the eighth such world championships in men's floorball. The tournament was held from 4 December to 11 December 2010 in the cities of Helsinki, and Vantaa, Finland....
.
Association football
Association football is one of the most popular sports in Estonia, although nothing special has been achieved. Estonia advanced to the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying play-offs against the Republic of Ireland.Formula racing
- Marko AsmerMarko AsmerMarko Asmer is an Estonian racing driver, whose career in single seater junior formula is notable for his British Formula Three Championship title in 2007. Asmer is also the first Estonian to test a Formula One car, having tested for the Williams BMW team in 2003 after just half a season of car...
is an Estonian racing driverAuto racingAuto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
, whose career in single seaterOpen wheel carOpen-wheel car, formula car, or often single-seater car in British English, describes cars with the wheels outside the car's main body and, in most cases, one seat. Open-wheel cars contrast with street cars, sports cars, stock cars, and touring cars, which have their wheels below the body or fenders...
junior formulaFormula racingFormula racing is a term that refers to various forms of open wheeled single seater motorsport. Its origin lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulæ are Formula One, Formula Two, and...
is notable for his British Formula Three ChampionshipBritish Formula Three ChampionshipThe British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
title in 2007. Asmer is also the first Estonian to test a Formula OneFormula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
car. - Kevin KorjusKevin Korjus-Karting:Korjus made his pan-European karting début in 2006, competing in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge for the AGS Racing team. He finished sixth overall in the championship standings, 25 points behind the champion Jack Hawksworth. As well as that, he finished thirteenth in the Challenge finals, as...
is an Estonian racing driver. In 2010, he won the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.02010 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 seasonThe 2010 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season was the 20th Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season. It began on 17 April at Motorland Aragon and ended on 10 October at Circuit de Catalunya after eight rounds and sixteen races....
championship.
Judo
Judo is one of the most successful field of sport for Estonia. Since 1996, Estonia has won several medals in major international competitions.- 3 Olympic medals
- 3 Bronze medals: 2000Judo at the 2000 Summer Olympics-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal table:-References:**...
, 2004Judo at the 2004 Summer OlympicsJudo at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place in the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall and featured 368 judoka competing for 14 gold medals with seven different weight categories in both the men's and women's competitions. Japan dominated the event by taking 8 gold and 2 silver medals.Gold and silver medals...
- 3 Bronze medals: 2000
- 4 World Judo ChampionshipsWorld Judo ChampionshipsThe World Judo Championships are the highest level of international judo competition, along with the Olympic judo competition. The championships are held once every year by the International Judo Federation, and qualified judoka compete in their respective categories as representatives of their...
medals- 3 Silver medals: 19991999 World Judo ChampionshipsThe 1999 World Judo Championships were the 21st edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Birmingham, England in 1999.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:-66 kg:-73 kg:-81 kg:-90 kg:-100 kg:-+100 kg:-Open class:...
, 20012001 World Judo ChampionshipsThe 2001 World Judo Championships were the 22nd edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held at Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany in 2001.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:-66 kg:-73 kg:-81 kg:-90 kg:-100 kg:-+100 kg:...
, 20032003 World Judo ChampionshipsThe 2003 World Judo Championships were the 23rd edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Osaka, Japan from 11 September to 14 September 2003.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:14 September - Final-66 kg:13 September - Final...
and bronze medal 20032003 World Judo ChampionshipsThe 2003 World Judo Championships were the 23rd edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Osaka, Japan from 11 September to 14 September 2003.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:14 September - Final-66 kg:13 September - Final...
.
- 3 Silver medals: 1999
- 15 European Judo ChampionshipsEuropean Judo ChampionshipsEuropean Judo Championships is the Judo European Championship organized by the European Judo Union.- List of tournaments :- External links :*...
medals
- Indrek PertelsonIndrek PertelsonIndrek Pertelson is an Estonian judoka. At the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics he won bronze medals in the men's Heavyweight category. He was born in Tallinn.-References:*...
, Aleksei BudõlinAleksei BudõlinAleksei Budõlin is an Estonian judoka. At the 2000 Summer Olympics he won the bronze medal in the men's Half Middleweight category, together with Nuno Delgado of Portugal.-References:* on JudoInside.com*...
and Martin PadarMartin Padar-Achievements:-References:* on JudoInside.com...
are the most famous Judo athletes in Estonia in the past years.
Motocross
- Tanel LeokTanel LeokTanel Leok is an Estonian motocross racer competing in the FIM Motocross World Championships in MX1 class.-Early life:...
is motocrossMotocrossMotocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer competing in the Motocross World Championship in MX1 class.
Rallying
- Markko MärtinMarkko MärtinMarkko Märtin is a rally driver from Estonia, who competed in the World Rally Championship from 2000 until 2005.-Career:...
was the first Estonian who managed to win WRCWorld Rally ChampionshipThe World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
rally. Markko has scored 5 WRC victories, total of 18 podium finishes, 207 points and 101 stage wins. In 2004 he finished season with 3rd place. Markko was one of the best rally driver, but now he has retired. But thousand of rally fans from Estonia are still interested of WRC, visiting Rally FinlandRally FinlandThe Neste Oil Rally Finland is a rally event driven in the Jyväskylä area in Central Finland. It is the biggest annually organised public event in the Nordic countries, gathering over 500,000 spectators every year....
.
- After Märtin retired, Urmo AavaUrmo AavaUrmo Aava is an Estonian rally driver competing in the World Rally Championship. His regular co-driver was Kuldar Sikk, who is currently Ott Tänak's co-driver.-Career:...
and Ott TänakOtt TänakOtt Tänak is an Estonian rally driver.-Career:Tänak won the Estonian Rally Championship in 2008 and 2009, driving for the team run by former world rally winner Markko Märtin. Tänak made his World Rally Championship debut on the 2009 Rally de Portugal, finishing 20th overall...
has scored WRC points.
Rowing
RowingRowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
is pretty popular in Estonia. One reason is Jüri Jaanson
Jüri Jaanson
Jüri Jaanson is the most successful Estonian rower of all time and the winner of five medals at Rowing World Championships. He became World Champion in Tasmania 1990 in the single sculls event. 14 years later, at age 38 he won an Olympic silver medal in the single sculls event at the 2004 Summer...
, but there are also other well-known rowers in Estonia. Between 2004–2009, Estonia scored at least one medal in major international competition in every year: 2004
Rowing at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Rowing at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre and featured 550 competitors taking part in 14 events....
, 2005, 2006, 2007
2007 World Rowing Championships
The 30th World Rowing Championships was held between August 26 and September 2, 2007 in Munich, Germany.-Medal summary:- Men's & Women's Events :- Paralympic Events :...
, 2008
Rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Rowing competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing were held from August 9 to August 17, at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.- Events :14 sets of medals were awarded in the following events:*Single sculls men*Pairs men...
, 2009
2009 World Rowing Championships
The 38th 2009 World Rowing Championships regatta was held at Lake Malta, Poznań, Poland between August 23 – August 30.The annual week long rowing regatta was organized by FISA , and held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer...
.
Sailing
Twin brothers Tõnu TõnisteTõnu Tõniste
Tõnu Tõniste is retired sailor from Estonia, who competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. He won a silver and a bronze medal in the men's 470 class, for the Soviet Union and for Estonia . He did so with his twin brother Toomas Tõniste.-References:*...
and Toomas Tõniste
Toomas Tõniste
Toomas Tõniste is retired sailor and a politician from Estonia, who competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. He won a silver and a bronze medal in the men's 470 class, for the Soviet Union and for Estonia . He did so with his twin brother Tõnu Tõniste...
competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. They won a silver and a bronze medal in the Men's 470 Class, for the Soviet Union (silver, 1988) and for Estonia (bronze, 1992).
Skiing
OtepääOtepää
Otepää is a town in Valga County, southern Estonia, it's the administrative centre of Otepää Parish. Town has a population of 2,189 . Otepää is a popular skiing resort, popularly known as the "winter capital" of Estonia...
is a popular skiing resort. Otepää is also known as the "winter capital" of Estonia (in contrast to the "summer capital" Pärnu
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
). It is also the annual Cross-country skiing World Cup event. 2011 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships
2011 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships
The 2011 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships were held in Otepää, Estonia.-Cross-country skiing:Ladies U20 5 km Freestyle1. Ragnhild Haga NOR 13,50,62. Kari Oyere Slind NOR + 5,63. Heidi Wang NOR + 8,0...
was held in Otepää also.
In 2000, Raul Olle won Vasaloppet
Vasaloppet
Vasaloppet is an annual long distance cross-country ski race held on the first Sunday of March in northwestern Dalarna, Sweden between the village of Sälen and town of Mora. It is the oldest, one of the longest, and in popular consideration the biggest cross-country ski race in the world...
, which is considered as one of the oldest, one of the longest, and in popular consideration the biggest cross-country ski race in the world.
1999 was the year, when Estonian skier found success at international level, winning medal at World Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
. Estonia has won 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal at the Winter Olympic Games
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
.
- Olympic medals: 2002Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter OlympicsThe cross-country skiing events at the 2002 Winter Olympics were marred by drug problems. The winners of three races were disqualified after blood tests showed that three skiers had overly high red blood cell counts indicating the use of darbepoetin, a drug used to treat anemia...
, 2006Cross-country skiing at the 2006 Winter OlympicsThe cross-country skiing events at the 2006 Winter Olympics featured 12 events, from February 11, 2006 to 26 February 2006 at Pragelato in Turin.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-Participating nations:...
, 2010Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter OlympicsThe cross-country skiing competition of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver were held at Whistler Olympic Park. The events were held between 15 and 28 February 2010.- Medal table :- Men's events :- Women's events :- Competition schedule :... - World ChampionshipsFIS Nordic World Ski ChampionshipsThe FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
medals: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009
Andrus Veerpalu
Andrus Veerpalu
Andrus Veerpalu is a former and so far the most successful Estonian male cross country skier.On 17 February 2006 he won his second Winter Olympics gold medal , becoming the fourth Estonian to have won two Olympic gold medals Andrus Veerpalu (born 8 February 1971 in Pärnu) is a former and so far...
, Kristina Šmigun
Kristina Šmigun
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi is a former and so far most successful Estonian female cross-country skier. Her parents, Anatoli Šmigun and Rutt Rehemaa were both prominent Nordic skiers...
and Jaak Mae
Jaak Mae
Jaak Mae is an Estonian cross-country skier who has competed since 1994. He won a bronze in the 15km event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City....
are one of the most popular athletes in Estonia. Skiing is very popular in Estonia.
Tennis
- Kaia KanepiKaia KanepiKaia Kanepi is an Estonian professional tennis player. Her career-high ranking is world no. 16 reached on 14 February 2011....
is an EstoniaEstoniaEstonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n professional female tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player. Her career-high ranking was set at World No. 16 on 7 February 2011. Kanepi won her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Title in Palermo in 2010, becoming the first Estonian female player to win a WTA title. She has also reached three Grand Slam Quarter-finals, becoming the first Estonian to achieve this and was the first Estonian to be ranked in the top twenty.
- Jürgen ZoppJürgen ZoppJürgen Zopp is the current number one Estonian male tennis player. He is a prominent member of the Estonia Davis Cup team.Zopp reached the second round of the Australian and US Open Boys' Tournaments in 2006....
is the current number one EstoniaEstoniaEstonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n male tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player.
- Anett KontaveitAnett KontaveitAnett Kontaveit is an Estonian female junior tennis player. Kontaveit won Estonian Championships in 2009 and again in 2010 being the youngest player ever in Estonia to do so. From February 2010 Anett Kontaveit is coached by Märten Tamla.She has had success on the junior tour, her best grand slam...
is currently the world number 18 junior in the world for girls combined ranking. She is the currently the youngest tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player to win the Estonian Tennis Championships behind and the youngest EstonianEstonianEstonian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Estonia, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe* Estonians – people from Estonia, or of Estonian descent...
ever to win a professional title and to have a WTAWTAWTA may refer to:* World Trampolining Association, Founded in 1866 following the founding of the Amateur Athletics Association in 1864.*War of the Triple Alliance, a war between Paraguay and the alliance of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay...
ranking.
Volleyball
- EstoniaEstonia men's national volleyball teamThe Estonia men's national volleyball team is the national team of Estonia. It is governed by the Estonian Volleyball Federation and takes part in international volleyball competitions...
finished 2009 European Volleyball Championship2009 Men's European Volleyball Championship2009 Men's European Volleyball Championship was held from September 3 to September 13, 2009 in İzmir and Istanbul, Turkey.Poland claimed their first Men's European Volleyball Championship title with an undefeated run. The final was concluded with a 3-1 victory against France. Bulgaria captured the...
in 14th place and 2011 European Volleyball Championship2011 Men's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 2011 Men's European Volleyball Championship was the 27th edition of the European Volleyball Championship, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the CEV...
in 12th place.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting was one of the most successful field of sport for Estonia in past.- Notable weightlifters in Estonia: Jaan KikkasJaan KikkasJaan Kikkas was a weightlifter and Olympic bronze medalist from Valga, Estonia. He won bronze medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France in the middleweight class....
, Arnold LuhaäärArnold LuhaäärArnold Luhaäär was an Estonian weightlifter who won the bronze medal for his native country in the Men's Heavyweight Weightlifting at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany....
, Alfred NeulandAlfred NeulandAlfred Neuland was a weightlifter and Olympic champion from Valga, Estonia. He won gold medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp , and obtained a silver medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris .-References:...
, Alfred SchmidtAlfred Schmidt (weightlifter)Alfred Schmidt was an Estonian weightlifter and Olympic medalist. He received a silver medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.-References:...
, Jaan TaltsJaan TaltsJaan Talts is a former Estonian weightlifter and Olympic champion who competed for the Soviet Union.- Career :...
, Harald TammerHarald TammerHarald Tammer was a journalist, athlete and weightlifting World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist from Tallinn, Estonia.-Career:...
.
Wrestling
WrestlingWrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
was also very popular and successful field of sport for Estonia in past. In 2006
2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships
The 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships were held at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou, China. The event took place from September 25 to October 1, 2006.-Medal table:-Team ranking:-Men's freestyle:-Men's Greco-Roman:-Women's freestyle:...
Heiki Nabi
Heiki Nabi
Heiki Nabi is an Estonian wrestler. At the 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships he won the gold medal in the men's Greco-Roman category and became the first amateur wrestling World Champion for his home country, because previous Estonian wrestling World Champion August Englas compited for...
became the first amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games under the supervision of FILA : Greco-Roman and freestyle. Freestyle is possibly derived from the English Lancashire style...
World Champion for his home country. But wrestling was the most successful Olympic event for Estonia between 1920–1936.
- Notable wrestlers in Estonia: Aleksander AbergAleksander AbergAleksander Richard "Leks" Aberg was a famous Estonian professional Greco-Roman and free-style wrestling World Champion of the early 20th century...
, Georg HackenschmidtGeorg HackenschmidtGeorg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt was an early 20th-century Estonian strongman and professional wrestler, and the first free-style heavyweight champion of the world. He launched his professional career in Russia and lived most of his life in London, England, where he gained the nickname of 'The...
, Georg LurichGeorg LurichGeorg Lurich was a Estonian Greco-Roman wrestler and strongman of the early 20th century. Lurich was also the trainer of fellow countryman wrestler and weightlifter Georg Hackenschmidt and Aleksander Aberg.-Early life:...
, Osvald KäppOsvald KäppOsvald Käpp was an Estonian wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics....
, Martin KleinMartin Klein (wrestler)Martin Klein was an Estonian wrestler who competed for the Russian Empire and took part in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He won the silver medal in the middleweight class...
, Anton KoolmannAnton KoolmannAnton Koolmann was a wrestler and coach from Kuusalu Parish, Estonia who took part at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.-Career:...
, Johannes KotkasJohannes KotkasJohannes Kotkas was an Estonian amateur wrestler who won the gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics for the Soviet Union.Kotkas was born in Tartu. He won the gold medal at the 1938, 1939 and 1947 European Championship. At the 1953 World Championship Kotkas won the silver medal-External links:*...
, Albert KusnetsAlbert KusnetsAlbert Kusnets was an Estonian wrestler who won a bronze medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics....
, August NeoAugust NeoAugust "Ago" Neo was an Estonian wrestler and Olympic medalist....
, Eduard PütsepEduard PütsepEduard Pütsep was an Estonian wrestler who won a Gold Medal in the Bantamweight division in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France after defeating Sweden's Sigfrid Hansson in the Sixth Round....
, Voldemar VäliVoldemar VäliVoldemar Väli was a two-time Olympic medalist for Estonia in Greco-Roman wrestling.-External links:***...
. - Kristjan PalusaluKristjan PalusaluKristjan Palusalu was an Estonian heavyweight wrestler and Olympic winner....
is one of the most well-known athlete in Estonia even though he competed 60 years ago in 1936 Olympics1936 Summer OlympicsThe 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
.
Other sports
- SumoSumois a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
was not very popular in Estonia in past. But after BarutoBaruto KaitoBaruto Kaito is a professional sumo wrestler from Estonia. Making his debut in May 2004, he is one of only two Estonians ever to join the sport in Japan, and the first to reach the top division, in May 2006...
found the real success in this sport, sumo gained popularity. - SwimmingSwimming (sport)Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
is popular sport among Estonians. Last decade Estonian athletes has found some success, winning several medals at European Short Course Swimming Championships. Jane Trepp won silver medal at 2009 European Short Course Swimming Championships. Triin AljandTriin AljandTriin Aljand is an Estonian swimmer. She was a member of the Estonian national team that competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and multiple FINA World Aquatics Championships. She competed again for the team in the 2008 Summer Olympics.She currently attends Texas A&M University, where she swims for...
won second straigt medal for Estonia at 2010 European Short Course Swimming Championships2010 European Short Course Swimming ChampionshipsThe 2010 European Short Course Swimming Championships is held at Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands, from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 November 2010....
. Before that Indrek SeiIndrek SeiIndrek Sei is a former freestyle swimmer from Estonia, who competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1992....
has won swimming medals for Estonia. - Andrus MurumetsAndrus MurumetsAndrus Murumets is an Estonian strongman and entrant to the World's Strongest Man contest. He reached 5th in the World Rankings according to the IFSA rankings in 2008. Andrus competed in the IFSA World Championships in 2005 finishing 4th, 5th in 2006 and 5th in 2007...
is an Estonian strongman. He won Strongman Champions LeagueStrongman Champions LeagueThe Strongman Champions League is a strongman competition circuit, bestowing the Champions League Winner title to the overall winner, and is competed for by a pool of strength athletes containing some of the most notable in the sport, including Žydrūnas Savickas, Travis Ortmayer, Mikhail Koklyaev,...
in 2009. - KiikingKiikingKiiking is a sport that was invented in Estonia by Ado Kosk around 1996. In Estonian language kiik means a swing. In a kiiking swing, the swing arms are made of steel to enable a person to swing 360 degrees going over the spindle of the swing . A person is fastened to the swing base by their...
, a relatively new sport, was invented in 1996 by Ado Kosk in Estonia. Kiiking involves a modified swing in which the rider of the swing tries to go around 360 degrees.