World Championships in Athletics
Decathlete Neugebauer “hot” – Kaul to Aus: It hurts
The German decathlete Leo Neugebauer wants a World Cup medal. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
Leo Neugebauer is on course for the gold medal in the decathlon. His national teammate experiences a painful World Cup exit. With a view to the Olympics, he doesn’t want to risk too much.
This decathlon show fascinated. With an impressive first day in the supreme discipline, Leo Neugebauer is on course for the gold medal at the World Championships in Athletics. “I’m very hot,” said the 23-year-old, who starts Saturday as the leader.
“I can’t even think about a medal. The decathlon is like a marathon and we’re only halfway through,” Neugebauer said. After five disciplines he leads with 4640 points ahead of Canadian Pierce Lepage (4610) and his compatriot Damian Warner (4578). As the second German participant still fighting in the competition, Manuel Eitel is twelfth with 4296 points.
European champion Niklas Kaul, who became world champion in Doha in 2019, is no longer there. First hip problems prevented him, then a foot injury forced him to retire. “The decision not to have run 400 meters hurts more than the foot. But 400 meters would have been a risk,” said the 25-year-old. Especially since more stressful disciplines follow on Saturday. “That would be a risk that is unacceptable in the year before the Olympic Games.” The summer games in Paris are Kaul’s big goal.
At the Olympics in Tokyo two years ago, Kaul was over on the first day due to foot problems. “It’s the same area, but much less bad,” said the Mainzer. “I’ll definitely cheer for the two guys. I couldn’t watch the 1500 in Tokyo, so I had to leave the stadium because it just wasn’t possible. Let’s see if I can do it this time.”
strive for best performance
Neugebauer wants to go through discipline for discipline. “I’ll try to surpass myself, my personal bests. That’s all I can do,” said the decathlete, who studied in the USA. “If that’s enough for a medal or even a gold, that would be great.” First of all, he wanted to devote himself to a meal with pasta and “a bit of meat” and a good night’s sleep. “I’m completely exhausted, the tank is empty and we have to really fill it up again.”
After five disciplines with 4640 points, he is still 49 points better than his German record at the beginning of June. He improved Jürgen Hingsen’s national record, which had existed for almost four decades, to 8836 points.