Wilma
Heltelä
Finland
·
Athletics
Date of birth | 11 June 1998 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Kuusjoki |
Age | 28 |
Nationality | Finland |
Career start | 2012 |
Disciplines | Pole Vault |
Wilma Heltelä is a regular fixture at the sharp-end of international pole vault competitions. Hailing from Kuusjoki in Finland, she's a major-championship winner and regular championship finalist, having built a reputation as one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation in the event.
A record-breaking start
She was marked as a hot prospect from an early age, becoming the holder of the world indoor under-20 record. Her record-breaking jump of 4.71m was set in Germany back in January 2016 when she was just 17 years old, less than two years after making her debut at the 2014 World Junior Athletics Championships.
Also, in 2016, Wilma won a bronze medal at the World U20 Championships and followed that up with another major championship bronze at the European U20 Championships in 2017. In 2019, Wilma narrowly missed the podium at the European U23 Championships before stepping up to senior level and competing at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Doing it on the big stage
Wilma then demonstrated her huge potential in 2021 as she claimed fifth place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The following year, Wilma excelled on the IAAF Continental Tour and claimed gold at the European Championships.
Since her breakthrough European title in 2022, Heltelä has continued to establish herself among the leading pole vaulters on the international circuit. She followed that success with a bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before reaching the final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Staying at the top of the game
With major-championship experience now firmly established, Heltelä remains a familiar presence at the sport's biggest events. Her combination of technical ability, competitive consistency and experience at the highest level continues to make her one of the leading figures in Finnish athletics and a compelling athlete to follow whenever the world's best pole vaulters meet.
Wilma Heltelä celebrates in Munich
© Phil Pham/Red Bull Content Pool
Wilma Heltelä clears the bar with ease
© Phil Pham/Red Bull Content Pool
Wilma Heltelä enjoys her European Championships success
© Daniel Kopatsch/Red Bull Content Pool
Wilma Heltelä takes a break during training
© Jesse Väänänen/Red Bull Content Pool