Sportspeople from South Ostrobothnia

Jari-Matti Latvala (born 3 April 1985) is a Finnish rally driver competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC). His co-driver has been Miikka Anttila since the 2003 Rallye Deutschland. He is well known for his aggressive driving style, which earns him many plaudits, and comparisons to the late Colin McRae. With 18 event victories in the WRC, he is the most successful driver to not have won a championship. Latvala is also the driver with the most World Rally starts in the sport which he achieved in 2019, 17 years after his debut.

Johanna Katriina Manninen (born 4 April 1980) is a Finnish former athlete specializing in sprinting events. She won two gold medals at the 2007 Summer Universiade, in addition to several medals in younger age categories.

Tero Kristian Pitkämäki (born 19 December 1982) is a retired Finnish track and field athlete who competes in the javelin throw. He is a World Champion, having won gold in 2007. His personal best throw of 91.53 m, set in 2005, ranks him eleventh on the overall list.

Toni Siikala is a retired Finnish football (soccer) forward who played in both the United States and Finland. He played professionally in the USISL and National Professional Soccer League.

Heikki Johannes Ikola (born 9 September 1947) is a Finnish former biathlete. Together with his countryman Juhani Suutarinen he became dominant in the 1970s and the early 1980s. In 1975 he became double world champion in both the 20 km and the relay. He also won the sprint title in 1977 and 1981.

Marko Juhani Yli-Hannuksela (born 21 December 1973 in Ilmajoki) is a Finnish former wrestler. His most notable accomplishments are his two Olympic medals and a world championship in Greco-Roman wrestling. After failing to qualify for 2008 Olympic Games, he decided to retire in August 2008.

Arsi Ilari Harju (born March 18, 1974) is a Finnish former track and field athlete who competed in the shot put. He won the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He set his personal best of 21.39 in the qualification. In the final, Harju secured the gold medal with his second round shot put of 21.29, beating silver medalist Adam Nelson by 8 cm and bronze medalist John Godina by 9 cm. In 2000, Harju was also named the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year.

Joona Lautamaja (born 12 July 1995) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays for SJK, as a midfielder.

Jesse Sarajärvi (born 20 May 1995) is a Finnish footballer, who most recently played for Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho.

Osmo Juhani Ala-Honkola (18 May 1939 – 14 November 2020) was a Finnish sports shooter. He competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.