We are Northern Lights Judo Team Finland
Carolina Hietanen-Lin
Carolina from Helsinki was born in 2011 and has been training judo since the age of six. She represents Helsingin Chikara and trains with the judo group at the Olympic Training Center Urhea under the coaching of Timo Myöhänen.
Despite her young age, Carolina has achieved success in the U18 age categories. She is currently competing in the U18-57 kg category and has been selected for the U18 Finnish Judo Association training group for the year 2026.
Carolina’s achievements in judo
2026:
- 2. Thuringen Pokal, Germany, U18-57
- 1. Finnish Championships, U18-57
- 2. Finnish Championships, U21-57
2025:
- 2. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila,U15-57
- 5. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila,U17-57
- 3. European Judo Union Olympic Hopes, Riga, Latvia, U15-57
- 3. Cracow Judo Open, Cracow, Puola, U16-57
- 1. Kyodai Open, Riga, Latvia, U16-52 kg ja U18-52
- 1. Finnish Championships, U18-52
- 1. Matsumae Cup, Denmark, U15-52
- 3. Matsumae Cup, Denmark, U18-52
2024:
- 2. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila, U15-52
- 3. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila, U17-52
- 3. Rothberg Cup, Tallinna, Viro, U16-52
Valtteri Kokkonen
Valtteri was born in 2009. Originally from Siilinjärvi, near Kuopio, Valtteri is currently studying at Mäkelänrinne Sports High School, lives in Helsinki, and represents the judo club Meido-kan.
Valtteri trains with the judo group at the Olympic Training Center Urhea, and his coaching is overseen by the Finnish Judo Federation’s coach for the U18 age group, Khirchla Khirschilasvili. Valtteri has been selected for the Finnish National team U18 for the year 2026.
Valtteri’s achievements in judo
2026:
- 9. International Masters, Bremen, Germany, U18-55
- 5. Matsuru Dutch Open Espoir, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, U18-55 kg
2025:
- 2. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila, U17-55 kg
- 2. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila, U20-55 kg
- 2. Nordic Judo Championships, Denmark, U18-50kg
- 1. Finnish Championships, U18-50kg
- 3. Matsumae Cup, Denmark, U18-50kg
2024:
- 3. Baltic Sea Championships, Orimattila, U17-50kg
- 1. Samurai cup total competition, U18-50kg
Coaches
Khirchla Khirschilasvili
Multiple-time Finnish youth champion and Nordic youth champion. Head coach for the Finnish Judo Association’s U18 team.
Rank: 1. Dan. Club: Meidokan.
Photo: Suomen Judoliitto
Timo Myöhänen
A long coaching career at Kuopio Sakura from 2000 to 2010 and now at Chikara from 2016 onwards. Part-time coach for the Finnish Judo Association’s U20 team from 2005 to 2009. Part-time coach for the Finnish Judo Association’s U18 team..
Rank: 3. Dan. Club: Chikara.
Judo advisor / tactics
Anssi Ryhänen
In the 1990s, a multiple Finnish junior champion and a two-time European Championship bronze medalist in the veterans’ category. Responsible for tactics and analyses.
Rank: 2. Dan. Club: Tampereen Judo.
Judo advisor / techniques
Ismo Mikkonen
6-time Finnish men’s champion, Nordic champion, veteran world champion, and the only Finnish winner of the judo cadet category at the European Youth Olympic Days (now European Youth Olympic Festival) l in 1991. Experience in top-level judo spanning four decades. Technical expert of the team.
Rank: 3. Dan. Club: Yanagi, Heinävesi.
Advisor / weightlifting technique
Iiro Hartikainen
7 x Finnish men’s national champion in weightlifting, an experienced representative in major competitions, and a world champion among veterans. He serves as a team expert/consultant in supporting the technique of weightlifting movements (snatch, clean and jerk, auxiliary movements) related to supplementary training for young athletes.
Team Manager
Asser Kokkonen
6-time Finnish men’s judo championship medalist, multiple-time Finnish youth champion in the 1990s, 5th place at the 1993 European Youth Olympic Days. Active veteran judoka: veteran World Championship silver (2019) and World Championship bronze x 2 (2016 and 2022), 4-time veteran European Championship bronze (2016, 2017, 2018, 2023).
Rank: 2. Dan. Club: Meido-kan.
Photo: Jean-Bernard Dalleau