The Lengdorfer starts at the European Championships in Poland.
Lengdorf– 2020 is a year of special challenges for Maximilian Dallinger. He has already passed one - the professional - hurdle. He passed his exams and was appointed police chief. And now the sporting tasks come. The highlight could be the Tokyo Olympics. He wants to get the starting place for this in Wroclaw, Poland, where the air rifle shooter will take part in the European Championships from February 26th to March 2nd.
Two quota places will be awarded at the EM. To get one of these tickets for the Olympics, it might be enough to qualify for the final, as many of the European elite already have their starting place for Tokyo. But: Getting in the top eight is definitely not guaranteed with the strong competition, says Dallinger.
Won't it be a pain in the neck? “Dealing with pressure - I already know that. I'm starting relatively relaxed there, ”says the 23-year-old, who has tried new training methods. For example, dry training without ammunition. "You take the rifle in your hand and aim it against the wall." The Russians, one of the leading nations in shooting sport, explains Dallinger, have been doing this for years. He also tests new balance exercises. For example, shooting on wobble pads made of foam. A change in the training program doesn't hurt, says the Lengdorfer. Therefore, he was looking forward to cross-country skiing as an afternoon compensation during the course in Ruhpolding, which he described as "very intensive". "It is always difficult to shoot there." The problem is the bright light and the unusual background of the targets. But that also brings variety and make training significantly more demanding. The results are therefore never as high as in Hochbrück. "But that's also intentional. We can start the European Championship without great expectations and we will certainly have better conditions in Poland, which will make it easier for us. ”That is how the optimist Dallinger sounds.
Further tickets are available at the World Cup in India
If the starting position for the Olympics does not work out this time, he will compete at the World Cup in India at the end of March. The very last chance would be in April: a separate quota place tournament, in which two tickets will be awarded again.
Dallinger makes no secret of it: Olympia is his dream. But even without Tokyo, shooting sports remains his passion - which, by the way, costs a lot of money. The association does pay the travel expenses for the competitions. But spare and wear parts (Dallinger: "A shooting sling just breaks after half a year") and other small items - that costs money. Therefore, the Lengdorfer is grateful for sponsors such as floor layer Ulrich Eibl, who supports him financially. He also receives a monthly amount from Sporthilfe. Nevertheless: He calculates that 3000 euros of his annual requirements are still uncovered. He would not defend himself against other financial supporters, he says with a laugh.
By the way: after the hopefully high point in Tokyo in September there will be a definite high point in October. Then the police chief takes up his duties at the Erding police inspection.