The World Sauna Championships were an annual endurance contest held in Heinola, Finland, from 1999 to 2010.

[3] The championships began with preliminary rounds and ended in the finals, where the best six men and women would see who could sit in the sauna the longest.

The host country usually dominated the event, as only one foreign competitor ever made it into the finals in the men's competition.

This time Kazumi Morohoshi (former singer in a popular boy band Hikaru Genji) was with them and also took part in the competition.

[7] On 7 August 2010, two competitors were removed from the sauna and brought to the hospital in critical condition after six minutes of 110 °C (230 °F) heat, both suffering from serious burns and trauma.

Russian finalist and former third-place finisher Vladimir Ladyzhensky, an amateur wrestler, was dragged out, suffering from convulsions, burns, and blisters.

[10][11] Kaukonen's preparation included hydrating meticulously and growing his hair long enough to cover the tips of his ears, making them less likely to burn.

[14] Arvela later reported that Finnish police had decided not to file charges in connection with the tragedy, but were continuing to investigate.