He started as a freestyle wrestler, winning four consecutive national titles in 1952–55 and finishing sixth at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

He then changed to Greco-Roman wrestling and won a national title and an Olympic gold medal in 1956.

[4] He remained involved in wrestling as a referee, and in this function attended the 1962 and 1965 World Championships and 1968 Olympic Games.

While living in Tampere, he also coached young wrestlers and football players and headed the Tampereen Paini-Miehet club.

This biographical article relating to a Finnish sport wrestler or wrestling coach is a stub.