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Matti Everi passed away

Matti Everi, born on 14 November 1951 in Huittinen, Finland, passed away on May 24, 2017 after a long illness. Everi was known for his passion for weightlifting both in Finland and abroad. He was elected many times to represent Finland as a referee or team leader in international competitions. Everi’s was an Honorary President at his weightlifting club Puntti-Karhut in Pori, Finland.

During his own lifting career Everi lifted various medals at Finnish Championships as a junior, became a Nordic Junior Champion and broke Finnish junior records. During his adult career he lifted many national championship medals in the Super Heavy weight category totaling 335 kg at his best.

Everi’s strength was organizing national and international championship competitions. Many Nordic Championships and Baltic Cup Championships have taken place in Pori where Everi played an important role. Everi was also the General Secretary at World Championships in Lahti, Finland, 1998. He has received many merits like the International Weightlifting Federation National Honour Medal and European Weightlifting Federation Gold Collar for Sporting Merit.

The Everi name has been passed down to son Antti Everi, 2008 Olympian in weightlifting, and Anna-Maria Tokola (neé Everi) who lifted a medal at European Championships for 23-year-olds. Matti is missed by his wife Ulla Everi and the families of their two children Antti and Anna-Maria as well as the Finnish weightlifting family.

It is with deep sorrow that the IWF presents its condolences to his Family as well as to the Finnish Weightlifting Federation.

Source: Finnish Weightlifting Federation