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Joy on the wall: Hannah Meul bouldering
Photo: IMAGO/Eibner/Memmler / IMAGO/Eibner
Hannah Meul almost caused the big surprise on Sunday.
At the bouldering competition of the European Climbing Championships in Munich, the 21-year-old got very close to the exceptional Slovenian athlete Janja Garnbret - and cheered for her silver coup despite just missing out on the title.
Despite the biggest success of her career, the woman from Cologne didn't have time to celebrate.
Regeneration is now the priority for her, she said after winning the silver medal.
"Let skin grow" is her motto.
'I can't let them soak too much, so going for a bath won't do.
And don't touch climbing holds either," said Meul with a laugh and showed her strained hands.
Heat makes things difficult for climbers
The mammoth program of lead and bouldering competitions left its mark well before the end of the European Championship.
'I've lost a lot of skin.
There are various climbing creams that I'm applying now," explained the Rhinelander.
Due to the heat in Munich, the athletes lose significantly more skin than usual - the risk of slipping increases.
Garnbret also complained about badly damaged hands.
The EM competitions in climbing as part of the European Championships have so far been a crowd puller.
Despite the sweltering heat, many spectators gathered on Saturday and Sunday.
"I've never experienced such a mood," said Meul.
On Wednesday, Meul and her competitors still have the combined event of bouldering and lead, which will also be part of the Olympic program in Paris.
Meul is one of the favorites at the start.
kjo/dpa
