Tapani Niku

{{Short description|Finnish cross-country skier}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name =

| image = Tapani Niku.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Tapani Niku in the 1920s

| birth_name =

| fullname =

| nationality =

| residence =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1894|1|4}}

| birth_place = Haapavesi, Grand Duchy of Finland

| death_date = {{death date and age|1989|4|6|1895|1|4}}

| death_place = Lahti, Finland

| height = 171 cm

| weight = 65–67 kg

| country =

| sport = Cross-country skiing

| event =

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| club = Haapaveden Hiihtäjät

| retired =

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| show-medals = yes

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{{MedalSport | Men's cross-country skiing }}

{{MedalCountry | {{FIN}} }}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}

{{MedalBronze | 1924 Chamonix | 18 km}}

}}

Tapani Niku (born Karsikas, 1 April 1895 – 6 April 1989) was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed at the 1924 Winter Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 18 km event and failed to finish his 50 km event. At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1926 he placed sixth over 50 km and 13th over 18 km.{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ni/tapani-niku-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417180438/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ni/tapani-niku-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-04-17 |title=Tapani Niku}}

Niku won nine national titles, in the 10 km (1923–26), 30 km (1921, 1923 and 1925–26) and 60 km events (1925). He also won the 50 km race at the Lahti Ski Games in 1923–25. He retired in 1926 and later worked as a forester and a ski manufacturer.

After he had died, he was honoured with a state funeral.{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/flying_finn_nykanen_may_get_state_funeral_minister_says/10634447|title=Flying Finn Nykänen may get state funeral, minister says|publisher=Yle|language=English|date=6 February 2019|accessdate=7 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://finlandtoday.fi/minister-of-sport-suggests-state-funeral-for-former-ski-jumper-matti-nykanen/|title=Minister of Sport Suggests State Funeral For Former Ski Jumper Matti Nykänen|publisher=Finland Today|language=English|date=6 February 2019|accessdate=7 February 2019}}