Bryggare, who was born in Kouvola, was the finest ever Finnish high hurdler, winning medals in almost every major championship he competed.

At 1980 Olympic Games held in Moscow, Bryggare easily advanced in the final of 110mh, but was unable to produce fast time and finished far from medals at 6th place.

In the final, he didn't produce another PB, but finished at 3rd place, grabbing the bronze medal behind Kingdom and Foster, in another great time of 13.40secs.

Later that year he tried to repeat his medal performance at the World Championships in Rome where he qualified for the final, but was unable to start the race while he injured himself in his semi-final.

This started a chain of victories still unique for a Finnish hurdler; for eight years Bryggare won a medal in every international race in which he participated.