Puikkonen's biggest successes were at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, where he won seven medals, including four golds (individual large hill: 1989, team large hill: 1984, 1985, 1989), two silvers (individual normal hill: 1982, individual large hill: 1985), and one bronze (team large hill: 1982). He also won a gold medal at the FIS Ski-Flying World Championships 1981.