https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW1gM1bTOvA

Documentary by Steiv Silma

COMEBACK

Hard work always beats talent.

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Story about a comeback

Shaped by the values of his late father, Magnus Kirt sets out on a relentless journey toward becoming the world’s best javelin thrower. But just as the World Championships in Doha are about to crown him as number one, his dreams shatter before millions of viewers. A devastating shoulder injury on his decisive attempt hurls him into a painful battle with recurring injuries, burnout, and inner demons — leading to a comeback that brings him, unexpectedly, back to where it all began.

People,
who shaped the story

Athlete

Magnus Kirt

Magnus Kirt is an Estonian javelin thrower from the small town of Tõrva, who rose to the very top of world athletics through relentless work and discipline. He is a multiple-time Estonian champion, a European Championships bronze medallist, and a World Championships silver medallist. Kirt has been ranked world number one and was named Estonian Sportsman of the Year on two occasions. His career embodies the ambition and determination that carried him from a small-town training ground to the biggest stages in the world.

Fiancé

Laura Ikauniece

Laura Ikauniece is a Latvian athletics star who has won heptathlon medals at both the European Championships and the World Championships, and has been named Latvian Sportswoman of the Year on two occasions. She is regarded as one of the most accomplished multi-event athletes of her generation, consistently competing at the highest international level. She is also the fiancée and life partner of Magnus Kirt, standing by his side through both major triumphs and the most challenging moments.

Coach-manager

Marek Vister

Marek Vister is the childhood friend of Magnus Kirt who, through unexpected turns of fate, became his coach and manager despite having no formal background in athletics. Together, they rose to the highest level of the sport and achieved major international titles. Vister was later named Estonian Coach of the Year. A restless spirit, driven by kindness and a deep belief in people.

Trainer - Physiotherapist

Indrek Tustit

Indrek Tustit is a world-class physiotherapist and highly regarded coach whose experience reaches the absolute elite of professional sport. He has worked with Olympic champion Gerd Kanter as well as several world-class tennis players. Within Team Kirt’s coaching staff, Tustit was regarded as the strategic mind whose collective work helped Magnus Kirt reach the very highest level in the world. Together with Marek Vister, he was also named Estonian Coach of the Year.

Legend

Toomas Merila

Toomas Merila is a legendary Estonian javelin coach who has devoted more than half a century to the discipline, working with nearly every top javelin thrower the country has produced. As an athlete, his personal best of exactly 70.00 metres sparked a lifelong pursuit to understand how to throw farther — a quest that ultimately led him into coaching. For Magnus Kirt, Merila is a Coach with a capital “C,” an authority and mentor whose advice he continues to seek and value to this day.

Father

Peeter Kirt

eeter was the father of Magnus Kirt and a legend in the town of Tõrva, whose dedication to sport and community went far beyond what was considered normal. In the 1990s, he set himself the goal of taking young athletes from a small town to the Olympic Games, even at a time when Estonia lacked something as basic as a proper bobsleigh track — and he made it possible. With the same tireless spirit, he worked to create sporting opportunities and a strong sense of community in Tõrva. To many, he was a superhuman; to everyone, a man who taught by example how to believe in big dreams.

People, who brought the story to the screen

Director · Co-producer

Steiv Silm

Director Steiv Silm is Estonia’s most active and prolific creator of sports documentaries, whose work focuses on the human stories behind elite performance. He is the creator of the documentary series “Võidu nimel” and the director and producer of the films “Two Hearts”, “Ragnar Klavan: Everything is possible”, and “Iron man – Andres Krestinov”. In addition, he has created and led numerous sports history television documentaries and programs, capturing the moments and personalities that have shaped Estonian sport.

Producer

Ülo Pikkov

Ülo Pikkov is an award-winning director and producer whose work has received recognition both in Estonia and internationally. His greatest creative passions lie in documentary filmmaking and animation, where he is known for a strong authorial voice and distinctive visual approach. Ülo Pikkov is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, placing him among the most influential figures in global cinema.

Co-writer · Consultant

Kaarel Kuurmaa

Kaarel Kuurmaa is one of Estonia’s most respected documentary film experts, serving on this project as both co-writer and consultant. He has worked as a curator for several international film festivals and is also one of the organizers of the DocPoint documentary film festival. His international perspective and deep knowledge of contemporary documentary cinema provide the film with a strong dramaturgical and conceptual foundation.

Operators

Madis Reimund · Taavi Arus

Editors

Jaak Ollino · Steiv Silm

Additional shots

Kullar Viimne · Mattias Veermets · Aleksei Kulikov · Manuel Mägi · Frank-Leander Sapego · Egnar Hernits · Steiv Silm

Editorial consultant

Kristjan Kalkun

Composer

Lauri Kadalipp

Sound engineer

Indrek Soe

Sound operators

Rein Fuks · Tanel Kadalipp · Tanel Paats · Indrek Soe · Gert Mäll

Graphic design

Joosep Volk

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FILM SPONSORS

Sportland is the leading sports and lifestyle retail chain in the Baltic states, bringing together top-tier sports brands and an active way of life. The company focuses on inspiring people to move, set goals, and push their limits both in sport and everyday life. Sportland also consistently supports elite sports and the development of sports culture.

Chanz is an Estonia-based online social casino platform offering games and entertainment for everyone. Chanz brings people together to play card games, social games, gambling games, and classic casino games, combining fun, community spirit, and a modern digital experience.

Eesti Filmi Instituut is Estonia’s national film organization, supporting and developing Estonian film culture and audiovisual creation. Its mission is to strengthen the international visibility of Estonian cinema, support filmmakers, and contribute to the creation of a diverse and high-quality film heritage.

Eesti Kultuurkapital is Estonia’s national cultural funding organization, supporting artists and the development of cultural life across the country. Its goal is to preserve and promote the diversity, continuity, and high artistic quality of Estonian culture by supporting both new ideas and long-term creative processes.