Nyyti Korolainen, first ITF Taekwon-Do champion ever invited to Presidential Independence Day reception.

Finland celebrates their independence on 6th December. The most popular event of the day is Presidential Independence Day reception. There are approximately 2000 invited guests at the Presidential Palace. This event, known as Linnan juhlat ("the Castle Ball"), is broadcast on national television and has been a perennial favourite of the viewing public. One million people watch the show on TV.

The most popular television segment of the Independence day reception is the entrance of the guests. These include persons who receive invitations every year, including the knights of the Mannerheim Cross (traditionally the first ones to enter), members of the Government and the Parliament of Finland, archbishops, judges, high military and police officers, and various diplomats and dignitaries.

The second group includes people of the President's own choosing, typically entertainers, activists, sportspersons, and in general, people who have been in the spotlight over the past year. The last people to enter are always the previous presidents.

This year (2010) Finnish ITF Taekwon-Do world champion Nyyti Korolainen was invited to the party. She is the first ITF Taekwon-Do athlete who has been invited to this event. It is truly a great honour to be invited and be a part of this event.

Nyyti was in the party with her spouse Minna Minkkinen. They reserved a great deal of attention in the party and afterwards. In the local media Nyyti was voted the second best queen of the night. First place went for figure skater, European champion Laura Lepistö.