Title fights in Qatar
Paris in view: divers at the World Cup with an Olympic focus
Diver Moritz Wesemann from Germany is a beacon of hope in Doha. photo
© Lee Jin-man/AP/dpa
The divers have the last chance to get quota places for the Olympic Games at the World Championships. The goals have therefore changed accordingly.
The last chance Olympic quota places release fresh energy among German divers.
“The air will burn for us,” announced national coach Christoph Bohm with a view to the World Cup starting this Friday in Doha. Of the twelve possible Olympic starting places, seven are still missing; they are the main goal in this year’s title fights. “I’ll be completely honest: If we don’t win a medal and get all the quota places, I’ll be happy too,” said Bohm. The focus is particularly on the four synchronous competitions. A minimum of fifth place is required for a Paris ticket. “I am confident that it will work,” emphasized Bohm, who also sees the team competition as a great German opportunity.
The team led by European champions Moritz Wesemann and Timo Barthel has been in Qatar since Sunday and is even allowed to train in the competition hall there. “The form curve is right,” said the national coach, referring primarily to Wesemann. The European 3-meter board champion sees himself well prepared.
Not a sure-fire success
“The opportunity is definitely there and I would also have confidence in the potential,” said Wesemann. But it won’t be a sure-fire success for the 21-year-old from Halle. After all, the entire world elite is at the start in Doha, including the almost unbeatable Chinese. And everyone will compete at their best. Unlike the swimmers, it is the last chance to get places for Paris.
Wesemann went the extra mile in training for the World Cup and Olympics, especially in strength training. “Due to imbalances, I sometimes used some muscles more than I actually should,” he said, explaining this measure. “I’m physically ready for all the difficult jumps,” said Wesemann, who wants to show these both individually and in synchronized jumping with Alexander Lube. Here too, the focus is on synchronized jumping. Wesemann had already clinched the quota place in the individual with his European title.
Lena Hentschel also has to perform well in synchronized jumping together with Jette Müller. She really wants to go to Paris after winning bronze at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo with the now retired Tina Punzel. But Müller, who is only 20 years old, is competing in a major event in an Olympic discipline for the first time. The duo was just reassembled.
“The dynamic in the team is really great,” said Hentschel, who is studying in the USA. She sees herself in a kind of “big sister role: I feel like she looks up to me a little bit. I try to take Jette along and help her.”