Irja Lipasti

Irja Lipasti was a Finnish track and field athlete who represented Helsingin Naisurheilijat. Lipasti was the first female athlete to represent Finland at the European Athletics Championships. In 1933 Lipasti set a national record in the high jump that stood until 1951. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics Lipasti competed in the javelin, the high jump and the 4 × 100 metres relay. Lipasti finished seventh in the 1938 European Championships javelin throw and eighth in the 1938 European Championships shot put. Lipasti was the Finnish national champion in the shot put from 1945 to 1947. Lipasti continued to compete in Masters’ athletics, where she set multiple world records between 1981 and 1997.

Personal Bests: 100 – 12.8 (1939); HJ – 1.50 (1933); JT – 39.14 (1936).