Armas Pesonen

When he was 19 Armas Pesonen started his career with the Finnish state railway, working his way up to being a station master in 1928. During this time Pesonen fought in the Finnish Civil War in 1918 where he served in the Finnish Defence Forces. He reached the rank of lieutenant and was later involved with the White Guard.

As a track and field athlete Pesonen specialised in the javelin, but he was also a talented long jumper, setting a national record in the latter in 1906. Two years later he represented Finland at the 1908 London Olympics in the two javelin throw disciplines. In the standard event, Pesonen finished in fifth place with a throw of 45.17 metres, and in sixth place in the freestyle javelin with 46.04 metres. He was also scheduled to compete in the long jump but did not start the event.

Personal Best: JT – 50.62 (1909).