Vooksi calms down the volunteer

It was love at first sight. Maiju Suotama (then Kujala) was a teenager from Imatra who had just gotten to know freestyle.

He knew right away that this was the sport he wanted to do.

There was only one problem on the trip: I didn't want to find a matchmate. In the first decade of the 2000st century, freestyle wrestling was a new sport in Finland and Imatra. The sport's enthusiasts were men. However, competing is not[1]would get stuck without female resistance.

Fortunately, Imatra had a solution[1]key enthusiasts who didn't let it be.

- They said that there is definitely a female opponent in some gym. After half a year, the first competition partner was found in Rovaniemi, Suotama recalls.

The home is in Imatra

Suotama is now on that path. He played his first freestyle professional match in 2009.

Since then, several matches have accumulated.

In addition to domestically, Suotama has also competed in international arenas. However, the home has remained in Imatra.

- There's love for the countryside here. Imatra has a suitable small-town atmosphere, but all services are close by, says Suotama.

Nature and waterways are also nearby. They are an important resource for Suotama.  He is especially attracted to Vuok.

- My childhood home was located near Vuoksi, and even then Vuoksi felt soothing. As a child, I assumed that every city had such a great natural resource in the middle of a village. As an adult, of course, I understood that this is not the case. That is why he has learned to value it especially much.

An active group of enthusiasts

Suotama is not leaving Imatra for anything: Imatra is a good place for him not only to live, but also to train.

There is an active and high-quality martial arts club MMA Imatra in the city. The club has its own gym and there are many enthusiasts.

- The lack of a training partner is not necessary. Whenever you need a friend at Imatra, you can find a friend.

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