Valentin Kononen

Personal information
Born	(1969-03-07) 7 March 1969 (age 55) Helsinki, Finland
Medal record Men's Athletics Representing  Finland World Championships 1995 Gothenburg 50 km walk 1993 Stuttgart 50 km walk European Championships 1998 Budapest 50 km walk

Valentin Kononen (born 7 March 1969) is a Finnish former race walker. His competitive accomplishments include winning several medals in major competitions, which ranks him as one of the top Finnish performer in his sport.

Kononen's most notable achievement was winning a gold medal in the 1995 World Championships in Athletics in Gothenburg. He also won silver medals in the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart and the 1998 European Championships in Budapest.

Fastest 50km race results

• 3.39.34 (1) Dudince 26 March 2000
• 3.41.09 (3) Poděbrady 20 April 1997 (World Race Walking Cup)
• 3.42.02 (2) Stuttgart 21 August 1993 (World Championships)
• 3.42.50 (3) Beijing 30 April 1995
• 3.43.42 (1) Gothenburg 11 August 1995
• 3.44.28 (2) Budapest 21 August 1998 (European Championships)
• 3.45.19 (2) Naumburg 28 April 1996
• 3.47.14 (7) Helsinki 13 August 1994 (European Championships)
• 3.47.40 (7) Atlanta 2 August 1996 (Olympic Games)
• 3.48.50 (9) Dudince 25 April 1998

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Finland
1990	European Championships	Split, Yugoslavia	6th	50 km	4:03:07
1992	Olympic Games	Barcelona, Spain	7th	50 km	3:57:21
1993	World Race Walking Cup	Monterrey, Mexico	6th	50 km	3:57:28
	World Championships	Stuttgart, Germany		50 km	3:42:02
1994	European Championships	Helsinki, Finland	7th	50 km	3:47:14
1995	World Race Walking Cup	Beijing, PR China	3rd	50 km	3:42:50
	World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden		50 km	3:43:42
1996	Olympic Games	Atlanta, United States	7th	50 km	3:47:40
1998	European Championships	Budapest, Hungary		50 km	3:44:28
2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia	—	50 km	DSQ