Career
Sippala defeated javelin world record holder Matti Järvinen at the Finnish Olympic tryouts in 1932, throwing 70.02. At the Olympics in Los Angeles, however, Järvinen dominated, throwing beyond 70 m five times with a best throw of 72.71. Sippala, who had strained his back in training, threw 68.14 m on his first attempt, 4 cm less than Germany"s Gottfried Weimann.
He failed to improve over the next four rounds, staying in third place until the third Finn, Eino Penttilä, reached 68.70 in round five.
In the sixth and final round Sippala threw 69.80 m, moving from fourth to second place as Finland swept the medals. Sippala threw his personal best, 70.54 m, in Riga in 1934.
In addition to the javelin, Sippala competed in combined events.