With this medal and a revitalised self-belief he arrived in Abu Dhabi for the world championships with a ranking of 37, still way off the pace. However, in Abu Dhabi everything fell right for Saha and he finished the day on the podium, winning a first world medal for Finland in 43 years. It was an extraordinary moment, not just because of the medal itself but because it solidified the idea that the Finnish team has been putting in the work and improving their level in all areas, across all age categories, in recent years. It was the evidence of growth and excellence, consolidating the image offered when Martti won the Masters and then the Europeans. Finland has not produced a one-off success but now has a working system; it’s clear.
Luukas tells his own story, “There were so many big feelings in Abu Dhabi. I was mostly so happy, after so many years and so much work. Just a few weeks before, I was talking with my girlfriend about how I put my whole life in judo. I sacrifice being with friends, joining family occasions and still hadn’t had any big results. I had placed 7th at the Europeans which was significant at the time for Finland but it’s not really something. Martti started getting results, but still not me. It was difficult. Of course it’s about the whole process but I was questioning myself, if it was worth it.
In Kazakstan the win made me very happy but I had to focus straight away on the worlds as it was only a week away. Then at the worlds, in the photos you can see how happy I was and Roki too. I was happy for myself at first but also for Finland after 43 years without a medal at that level. It was a really big thing.”
That medal threw Saha up into the green zone and it was certain he would be in the list of qualified athletes at the end of the qualification period. 23 is his final position on the Olympic ranking list, well inside the minimum required for direct qualification in the -66 kg category.
“I hadn’t looked at the ranking at all during the whole qualification period but I was starting to beat good people and knew there was a possibility. I was beating good people but I was sad because I couldn’t get several good wins all in a row.
I’m so grateful that so many people really believed in me, they weren’t just saying it. I was thinking I had possibilities, physical and mental attributes to win good medals, but it’s judo and always there was the possibility that I would never win anything. I’m happy for me but equally happy to give back to them, to those who stuck with me with real commitment throughout.”
With qualification for Paris as a nice surprise, there was only a short time to complete final preparations.
“I just have to continue now and go for it in Paris. Eventually, despite there being no guarantees, my work did pay off. I must continue to think that with the grand slam medal followed immediately by the world medal, that there is an opportunity here for me.
The short or long term idea of preparation doesn’t make much difference to me. I am a person for whom it makes no difference mentally because I only look at what is next; I will always do my best. Now I am looking at Paris because that is next, that’s now the current focus. For this Olympics, it’s ok to prepare this way because it is simply what is next. The plan is a bit different as I would maybe have been on holiday by now, so fishing or the Games, both are nice options! This is cool though and despite my jokes, I am so happy to be going.
In Finland we have shown how much our quality has improved. At all previous Games’ we had someone qualified until Tokyo, there we had no-one. Now we showed that with our new system and focus, we could get two players in. It’s maybe the first time for two men to qualify directly."
"Of course, there has been inspiration from Martti. We are friends, we are all friends. I’m always happy when a Finnish athlete takes a good result, even at cups I’m happy when someone in the team wins a medal. Everyone has struggled together and all wins are felt by all of us even if we are sad for ourselves. Martti changed our perspective though and made us all truly have an extra layer of belief that we can do it. After the Masters, he repeated it at the Europeans. Martti went from some reasonable results to something special. Me too, I had a few low level placings that were ok but with these last two medals, I can really see it. I had the level and the opportunity and now the results are coming too.”
What do you think has been key for you or for your team?
“The biggest factor is attitude; we do everything the best we can, giving no opportunity for others to work better than we are. We give the best our minds and bodies can give. There is a good atmosphere in team and this helps too. We never give up and never let negative thoughts go to our head. I never allow myself to take a training session a little bit easier. When rest is needed, we take it but when we go, we go hard. It’s a big change but it is universal now across our team.
Valtteri Olin is coming to Paris as my training partner. He never stops doing his best and is one who will always do everything as well as he can. He never lets up. He’s a real professional and puts his whole heart in to it. I have seen his improvement too with a 5th at the Europeans and I helped him towards that with our training. Now he will help me at the Games.
I am sure there are more big results coming for the team, now there is evidence for all of us to believe it’s possible. The gate is open!"