His best result at the world championships was fourth place in 1953 in Greco-Roman wrestling. After retiring from competitions Kangasniemi worked as a sports instructor and functionary. He was president and then honorary president of Tampereen Painiseura, a wrestling club he co-founded.
He competed in Greco-Roman and freestyle events at the 1948, 1952, 1952 and 1964 Summer Olympics, and won a freestyle bronze medal in 1956. He placed sixth in the freestyle in 1952 and fourth-sixth in Greco-Roman contests in 1952 and 1956. Domestically he won eight Greco-Roman (1950-1951, 1953, 1955, and 1962-1963) and two freestyle titles (1953-1954).
