Former world champion Niklas Kaul got off to a strong start in the decathlon at the European Championships in Munich. The top favorite from France is already out.
The 24-year-old Kaul ran the 100 meters faster than ever with 11.16 seconds. World record holder and world champion Kevin Mayer, on the other hand, had to give up due to injury, the Frenchman just stalled out with muscle problems. “See you next year”said the big favorite for gold.
Four years ago in Berlin, Mayer missed the title that was believed to be safe because of three invalid attempts in the long jump. The Swiss Simon Ehammer was fastest over the 100 m with 10.56 seconds. Defending champion Arthur Abele, who is contesting his last decathlon in Munich, ran 11.24 seconds. Kai Kazmirek managed 11.15 seconds, Tim Nowak only 11.51 seconds.
In the long jump that followed, Kaul mightn’t really continue his brilliant start. His 7.10 meters were solid, but he didn’t look really satisfied. He would certainly have liked to take a distance like Kai Kazmirek’s 7.25 meters. But he was just as dissatisfied as Tim Nowak with his 6.97 meters. Abele jumped a solid 7.01 meters for his standards.
Ehammer jumps 8.31 meters!
The 8.31 meters of the Swiss Simon Ehammer were exceptional. After two disciplines, the long jump and sprint specialist was also ahead in the overall standings.
Abele’s last competition
Incidentally, these European Championships will be Arthur Abele’s last major appearance. At the age of 36, Abele measures himself once morest the international competition for the last time. And that as the defending champion, because in 2018 Abele sensationally crowned himself European champion in the decathlon. However, he considers another coup to be “unrealistic” following a shoulder operation and without real competition practice. “But I want to be in the top eight once more. That’s my goal,” said Abele.
