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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Impaired range of motion
Classification
LW8, LW8
Further personal information
Other names
Maija Loytynoja
Residence
Ylivieska, FIN
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
English, Finnish
Higher education
Engineering - Centria University of Applied Sciences: Ylivieska, FIN
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She took up skiing at age 14 in Finland. She began competing at an elite level in 2003 in Norway.
Why this sport?
Her younger sister encouraged her to try skiing, and she developed her own passion for biathlon.
Club / Team
Saloisten Salama: Raahe, FIN
Name of coach
Toni Myllyla [national]
International debut
Year
2003
Competing for
Finland
General interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning a silver medal in biathlon [3km pursuit] at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. (Athlete, 09 Mar 2014)
Most influential person in career
Her grandfather. (Athlete, 09 Mar 2014)
Hero / Idol
Finnish Nordic combined skier Hannu Manninen. (Athlete, 09 Mar 2014)
Injuries
She suffered a knee injury in 2008 that limited her 2008/09 season. She underwent surgery in May 2009. (yle.fi, 05 Feb 2010)
Awards and honours
She was nominated for the Breakthrough Award at the 2010 Finnish Sports Gala Awards in recognition of her performances that year, which included a Paralympic silver medal. (paralympia.fi, 30 Nov 2010)
Other sports
She has competed in cross-country skiing. (SportsDeskOnline, 28 Feb 2014)
Impairment
The nerves in her left arm were affected at birth, resulting in reduced function. "My left hand appears normal, but it doesn't work as well as my right hand." (Athlete, 09 Mar 2014; ujo5.wordpress.com, 08 Mar 2010)
Other information
LANDMARK
Her silver medal in biathlon [3km pursuit] at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver was Finland's first medal at the 2010 Games, and the nation's first winter Paralympic medal since 2002. (savonsanomat.fi, 14 Mar 2010)
Her silver medal in biathlon [3km pursuit] at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver was Finland's first medal at the 2010 Games, and the nation's first winter Paralympic medal since 2002. (savonsanomat.fi, 14 Mar 2010)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 12.5 km Individual Standing | Final Round | 6 | ||
| Women's 3 km Pursuit Standing | Final Round | 2 | ||
| Women's 3 km Pursuit Standing | Qualification | 2 | ||
| Women's 1 km Sprint Standing | Semifinal | 6 | ||
| Women's 5 km Standing | Final Round | 9 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Sprint - Classic Standing | Final | 2013-02-25 | 6 | |
| Women's Long Distance - Free Style Standing | Final | 2013-02-27 | 9999 | |
| Women's Short Distance Standing | Final | 2013-02-28 | 8 | |
| Women's Middle Distance Standing | Final | 2013-03-01 | 7 | |
| Women's Long Distance Standing | Final | 2013-03-03 | 3 | |
| Women's Middle Distance - Classic Standing | Final | 2013-03-05 | 7 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 6 km Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-08 | 4 | |
| Women's 10 km Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-11 | 8 | |
| Women's 1 km Sprint Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-12 | 4 | |
| Women's 12.5 km Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-14 | 8 | |
| 4x2.5 km Open Relay | Final Round | 2014-03-15 | 8 | |
| Women's 5 km Standing | Final Round | 2014-03-16 | 8 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Short Distance Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-24 | 3 | |
| Women's Long Distance - Free Style Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-25 | 4 | |
| Women's Middle Distance Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-27 | 9999 | |
| Women's Sprint - Classic Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-28 | 9 | |
| Women's Long Distance Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-30 | 3 | |
| Women's Middle Distance - Classic Standing | Race 1 | 2015-01-31 | 8 | |
| Mixed Relay | Final | 2015-02-01 | 6 |