Johannes Villemson facts for kids
 |
|
Quick facts for kids Personal information |
|
|---|---|
| Born | 25 March 1893 Tallinn, Russian Empire |
| Died | 22 March 1971 (aged 77) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Height | 174 cm |
| Weight | 71 kg |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 100–1500 m |
| Club | Estonian Sports Association Kalev |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 60 m – 7.1 (1917) 100 m – 11.0 (1917) 200 m – 23.4 (1917) 400 m – 52.3 (1917) 800 m – 1:59.3 (1922) 1500 m – 4:11.0 (1917) |
Johannes Leopold Villemson (born March 25, 1893 – died March 22, 1971) was a talented runner from Estonia. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics, showing his skills on the world stage. He was known for his speed in middle-distance races.
Contents
Johannes Villemson: Estonia's Speedy Runner
Johannes Villemson was born in Tallinn, Estonia. When he was young, he studied accounting and learned foreign languages. He first started as a speed skater in 1909. But soon, he found his true passion: running! He became a very successful runner.
A Champion on the Track
Johannes won many races. He won the Russian 1500-meter race three times in a row, from 1914 to 1916. He also placed well in 400-meter and 800-meter races. During this time, he set several Russian records for 800-meter and 1500-meter events.
Later, between 1917 and 1930, Johannes won more than 20 Estonian titles. These wins were in races from 100 meters up to 1500 meters. This showed he was one of the best runners in Estonia for a long time.
Olympic Dreams
Johannes Villemson represented Estonia at the 1920 Summer Olympics. He competed in the 800-meter and 1500-meter running events. Even though he didn't win a medal, it was a big achievement to compete at the Olympics.
He also helped the Estonian Olympic teams in other ways. He was a representative for the teams in 1924, 1928, and 1936. At these games, he worked as a judge for wrestling matches.
Life After Running
From 1920 to 1940, Johannes also held important jobs in Estonian sports. He worked in administrative roles for athletics and wrestling organizations. This meant he helped manage and organize these sports in Estonia.
In 1944, due to big changes happening in his home country, Johannes moved away. He first went to Germany and then to the United States, arriving there in 1949. He settled in Chicago, where he worked as a controller at a factory that made electrical appliances. For many years, he also led the Estonian Society in Chicago, helping his fellow Estonians in their new home.
Johannes Villemson passed away on March 22, 1971, in Chicago, just a few days before his 78th birthday.
