Risto Kala

Risto Kala played basketball for Finland at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was twice a Finnish Champion, won one Nordic Championship, and earned 37 international caps. He continued to play recreationally for over 70 years.

Kala was a physician who earned his doctorate in medicine in 1972, became an associate professor of internal medicine in 1982, and professor in 2003. He specialized in cardiology and was chief medical officer of Maria Hospital from 1983-2005. His research focused on the athlete’s heart, and in particular the EKG and ultrasound changes caused by sports, which made for difficult diagnostic problems. He also served as a doctor for the national basketball team. In 2018, Kala was elected to the Finnish Hall of Fame Gallery.