Elmer Konstantin Niklander (19 January 1890 – 12 November 1942) was a Finnish athlete who competed in throwing events, winning the gold medal in the 1920 discus throw and three other Olympic medals and 44 Finnish championships.

Athletics

Niklander started training at the age of 12 and competing at 17. He trained mostly on his brother's farm.

He excelled in two-handed throwing events.

Olympic Games

+ Elmer Niklander at the Olympic GamesGamesEventRankResultNotes 1908 Summer Olympics Men's Greek discus throw 9th 32.46 m Source: Men's shot put 9th–25th unknown Result was not officially recorded. Result was circa 11 metres. At the age of 18 years and 179 days, he is the youngest competitor in shot put in Olympic history (with a known birthdate; Miltiadis Gouskos might be younger). Men's discus throw 12th–42nd unknown Result was not officially recorded. Result was circa 36 metres. 1912 Summer Olympics Men's shot put 4th 13.65 m Men's discus throw 4th 42.09 m His first round throw. It broke the Olympic record, but was then broken on the second round. Men's two handed shot put 3rd 27.14 m Men's two handed discus throw 2nd 77.96 m 1920 Summer Olympics Men's shot put 2nd 14.155 m Men's discus throw 1st 44.685 m Men's 56 pound weight throw 8th 8.865 m 1924 Summer Olympics Men's shot put 6th 14.265 mHis fourth entrance in the event, which ties him for the record of most appearances in Olympic men's shot put. Men's discus throw 7th 42.09 m

In 1924, he served as the Olympic flag bearer for Finland.

National

Niklander won 44 titles at the Finnish Championships in Athletics in throwing events in 1909–1924, a national record in itself. Summary: two-handed discus throw, 11 titles: 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920 two-handed shot put, 11 titles: 1909, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1924 shot put, better hand only; 7 titles: 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1924 hammer throw, 6 titles: 1911, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 discus throw, better hand only; 5 titles: 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 Greek discus throw, 2 titles: 1912, 1913 weight throw, 2 titles: 1914, 1918 He also won 12 silvers and 1 bronze.

Records and bests

Niklander broke a world record once: 20 July 1913, two-handed discus throw, 90.13 m. The record still stands. He also broke two world records unofficially: 1909, two-handed shot put, 26.89 m 1910, two-handed discus throw, 87.12 m Neither result was ratified as a record because the dimensions of the throwing circle weren't up to the international standard.

He broke several Finnish national records: 25 October 1907, shot put, 13.47 m 4 July 1909, shot put, 14.68 m 19 June 1910, discus throw, 44.88 m 15 August 1910, hammer throw, 40.04 m 19 July 1913, two-handed shot put, 27.75 m 7 June 1914, hammer throw, 45.95 m 1914, weight throw, 10.76 m 4 July 1915, hammer throw, 47.18 m 12 June 1916, hammer throw, 47.57 m

Personal bests per event: shot put, 14.86 m, 19 July 1913 two-handed shot put, 27.75 m, 19 July 1913 discus throw, 47.18 m, 16 July 1916 two-handed discus throw, 90.13 m, 20 July 1913 hammer throw, 47.57 m, 12 June 1916 javelin throw, 54.19 m, 12 June 1916 weight throw, 10.76 m, 1914

Personal

Niklander was born in Rutajärvi village in Hausjärvi on 18 January 1890 to father Konstantin Niklander (1848–1903) and mother Henriika née Harjula (1858–1942). His younger brother Siivo (1883–1961) made two Finnish national records in shot put in 1907.

Before the Finnish Civil War, Niklander joined the Hausjärvi White Guard and took part in the Mommila skirmish in November 1917. For this, the Red Guard sentenced him to death, and once the war began, he had to go into hiding.

Niklander died of stomach cancer on 12 November 1942.

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