Mikko Holm

Mikko Holm moved to Joensuu at age 14. There, was trained as a tailor. In 1908, he applied for a job at the Joensuu railway station. In the following years he served in the former Karelia and finally again in Joensuu until he retired in 1951. In 1915, he married Elsa, a young actress, and subsequently Mikko himself became an amateur actor.

Holm first excelled in athletics. At the 1908 Finnish Championships, he won three titles (in shot put – both hands, throwing – all around, and decathlon) and placed third three times (high jump – both feet, pole vault - both feet, jumping – all around). In the following year, he had just one podium placing second in shot put – both hands. But he also had his first success in wrestling placing third in the 73 kg division.

In the middleweight A at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, he started with a defeat against the German Joseph Merkle. Two victories and a walkover promoted him to round five, where he lost to compatriot Konrad Åberg. Holm later claimed that the wrestling team management told him to lose deliberately against Åberg, who was obviously regarded as being more capable to win a medal. He did not agree and gave up without a fight. In 1913, he returned to the podium ranked 2nd in his division at the Finnish Championships. Later, he was frequently active as a referee and adjudicator at competitions and was a member of the boards of several sports clubs.