During a lively segment of Yle's Urheilustudio, Krista Pärmäkoski took the audience by surprise with her bold inquiry about her dog Edvin's romantic situation. So, is Edvin single? And when is he expecting company? The question drew chuckles, especially as it zeroed in on Luukas Saha, the talented judoka featured for his accomplishments, who was present with his own beloved canine, Nala.
Saha, who recently made headlines with his remarkable judo feats, including winning bronze at the Kazakh Grand Slam and securing Finland's first judo world championship medal in 43 years, responded with humor yet also weighed the authenticity of the question with seriousness: “It was quite the aggressive start,” he quipped. The inquiry about Nala, Saha’s charming rescue dog, wasn’t just idle banter. He openly painted her as quite the catch herself: “We have certainly considered, isn’t Nala such a beautiful girl? It would be really nice to create some offspring one day!”
Nala, the rescue dog hailing from Bulgaria, has not just been Saha's companion during his challenging year, but perhaps a calming influence. Saha recounted the fortuitous moment he and his partner found her: “It was 'take me in your arms and run' rescue.” The dog was only four months old at the time, but she quickly became central to his life. Saha reflected, “I noticed I stress less and focus on living more diversely. Of course, I still do all the work for my athletics, but having something else in life has made my sports performance improve.”
While the chat had its humorous moments, it also opened the door to some serious conversation. For Saha, his time spent outdoors with Nala has sparked important realizations about Finland's environment. “I’ve always been passionate about nature, and the more I fish and hike with Nala, the more the condition of our natural surroundings weighs on my mind. The decline of fish populations is alarming.”
Saha explained the contributing factors behind these concerns, namely climate change, overfishing, and decreasing water quality. He pointed out, “Regarding migratory fish populations, the main culprit has been dam construction without proper pathways for fish.” He emphasized the need for balanced solutions to support both industrial growth and ecological sustainability. While nature has had its challenges during Finland’s industrialization, he urges action to protect its delicate ecosystems.
Despite the serious undertones of the conversation, lighthearted moments about Nala remained prominent. Saha shared the amusing incident of the shoes his partner wore to the Linnan juhlat (Independence Day celebrations) — now sadly destroyed by Nala. “The shoes are gone now,” Saha remarked, showcasing how everyday life with Nala is filled with unexpected challenges, including finding things to protect from curious canines!
This amalgamation of heartfelt stories, athletic accomplishments, and prominent environmental concerns reflects Saha's multifaceted dual identity—an elite athlete and passionate advocate for the environment. He states, “With Nala always by my side, I can balance my life and goals more effectively.”
Saha's story is not only about his impressive rise to judo stardom within Finland but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the natural world around us. He insists on the significance of nurturing the environment and continues to motivate action for future generations. After all, nature isn’t just background scenery; it is the foundation of life, and it needs protection.
From bearing the heartwarming narratives of their companionship to highlighting the existence of ecological challenges, the segment underscored how sports, personal stories, and the environment often interweave, creating layers of meaning beyond the competition.
