The ski jumping world is facing a notable off-season development as Mico Ahonen, son of Finnish legend Janne Ahonen, has announced his retirement from the sport at age 23. The decision follows a challenging period for the younger Ahonen, including a knee injury and being left off the national team roster, and comes shortly after his father issued a public apology for recent disruptive behavior at a concert. janne Ahonen has publicly voiced his disagreement with the national team’s selection process,suggesting his son’s potential was overlooked.
Finland’s ski jumping legend Janne Ahonen is making headlines once again, this time following his son’s decision to retire from the sport. The news comes shortly after Ahonen publicly apologized for disruptive behavior at a recent concert, where security intervened. Now, the family is in the spotlight as 23-year-old Mico Ahonen has announced his departure from competitive ski jumping, a decision that had been brewing for several months.
Mico Ahonen Ends Career. Janne Announces Son’s News Ahead of World Cup Start
Janne Ahonen confirmed to “Ilta-Sanoma” that Mico has made the definitive decision to step away from the sport. The pivotal factor in his son’s choice was being left off the national team roster for the upcoming Olympic season. For the ambitious young jumper, this signaled a lack of long-term prospects within the Finnish team.
Last year, Mico Ahonen suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for months and delayed his return to full fitness. After rehabilitation, he competed in the Continental Cup, but struggled to achieve the results needed to break into the World Cup circuit. However, his father emphasized that his form in the spring was comparable to several athletes who were later selected for the B-team.
“It’s hard to understand. Mico was jumping better than some of the athletes who were later called up to the team in the spring competitions. It seems like the sins of the father are being visited upon the son. He’s been dealing with this problem throughout his career,” Janne Ahonen told “Ilta-Sanomat,” openly criticizing the selection decision made by head coach Igor Medved. The omission from the team proved to be the final blow to Mico’s motivation. “He wanted to continue, but he lost his drive when he was so blatantly overlooked,” Ahonen added.
The winter season is set to begin soon in Lillehammer, Norway. Representing Finland at the opening of the men’s Ski Jumping World Cup will be Antti Aalto, Vilho Palosaari, and Kasperi Valto.
