| Ari Koponen | |
| Nationality: | Finnish |
| Birth Date: | 20 July 1959 |
| Birth Place: | Lahti, Finland |
| Career1: | Great Britain |
| Career2: | Birmingham Brummies |
| Years2: | 1978–1982 |
| Career3: | Wimbledon Dons |
| Years3: | 1983 |
| Career4: | Swindon Robins |
| Years4: | 1984–1985 |
| Career5: | Sweden |
| Career6: | Getingarna |
| Years6: | 1987 |
| Career7: | Rospiggarna |
| Years7: | 1988–1989 |
| Indivyear1: | 1983, 1985, 1987 |
| Indivhonour1: | Finnish national Champion |
| Indivyear2: | 1979 |
| Indivhonour2: | World U21 Championship bronze |
| Teamyear1: | 1988 |
| Teamhonour1: | Sweden Division 1 |
Ari Koponen (20 July 1959 – 28 April 2018) was a Finnish motorcycle speedway rider.[1] [2] [3]
In 1978, Koponen joined the Birmingham Brummies for the 1978 British League season, this was his first season in the British leagues.[1] The following year he won a bronze medal at the 1979 Individual Speedway Junior European Championship.
He remained with Birmingham for five years, scoring over 800 points[3] until he joined Wimbledon Dons in 1983.[1] It was in 1983, that Koponen became the national champion of Finland after winning the Finnish Individual Speedway Championship.[4]
In 1984, Koponen switched from Wimbledon to join the Swindon Robins where he enjoyed two successful seasons in 1984 and 1985.[2] Also in 1985, he won a second Finnish national championship.[4] In 1987, he won his third and final Finnish national championship.[5]
He was also a long track rider and reached the Individual Speedway Long Track World Championship final in 1988.[6]