Additionally, Nykanen won six world championships in ski jumping.
The death of Nykanen was reported by several Finnish media agencies and confirmed by his family to national broadcaster, Yle. Finnish Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport Sampo Terho praised Nykanen as a great sports hero.
After he retired from skiing, Nykanen became an entertainer and published music albums. Nykanen married six times, with five persons. He had three children, newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported.
He had a alcohol problems. In 2009 Nykanen was sentenced to prison for aggravated assault.