Mona Mayer: Germany's fastest 18 year old

Hörlkofen-based Mona Mayer dominates the German 400-meter competition.

Neubrandenburg - In short, it was exciting at the German U 20 championships over the 400 meters in Neubrandenburg. After a good 100 meters, Lena attacked Leege. The Berliner sat behind Mona Mayer, but there was nothing more for her. The 18-year-old Hörlkofener continued to keep up her pace and left no doubt as to who is the fastest U 20 junior in Germany over 400 meters. The runner of LG Telis Finanz Regensburg crossed the finish line in 54.36 seconds, six tenths ahead of second-placed Marie Scheppan (LG Cottbus). The bronze medal went to Anna Malia Hense (LG Olympia Dortmund, 55.06 sec), and Leege was the last to finish (55.17). We spoke to Mona Mayer, who thus defended her title won in Sindelfingen last year.

Ms. Mayer, when you look at the run, you think: confident start-finish victory. How does the runner see it herself?

My goal was to win the run. I went in with that attitude too. Lena Leege, however, challenged me a lot. It was surprising when she ran up to me after 150 meters. She put everything in there. Maybe the pace was too fast for her. But she just tried.

What was your racing tactic like?

Actually like last year in Sindelfingen. Only that I approached it even faster. I just wanted to be the first one after 150 meters because it is difficult to overtake in the hall.

It worked really well. How did you celebrate afterwards?

Neubrandenburg is far away. We had to catch our flight in Berlin. And it's only a two-hour drive to the airport. That's why we didn't celebrate that much. But we will make up for that after the German women's championships next weekend.

54.36 seconds - that's a great time. What's in it this year?

I am very happy about the time, but there is more to it - also in the hall. As early as next weekend, I would like to attack this time. And outside, I want to push my best time, which is 53.98 seconds, down by half a second - at least.

An ambitious goal.

In general, you can deduct one or one and a half seconds from the hall time outdoors. Also, one shouldn't forget that last year I couldn't improve my times due to my injury.

They contracted a muscle tear in the semi-finals of the European Championship. Are you strained during your races?

Of course, such an experience is in the head. But that's also why the indoor season was so important for me so that I could overcome the blockage in my head. And that worked out well. I was able to run absolutely free. I was not afraid that something would happen. But that's also because I have absolutely no muscular problems anymore.

Next week it's going to the women's DM. What are you expecting?

I'm really looking forward to it. With the relay from LG Telis Regensburg we definitely have good medal chances over 4 x 200 meters. And that's a realistic assessment. I'm looking forward to the other four girls. It's a cool group. We get along very well. The icing on the cake would be a medal.

And what will be the other season highlights?

After the DM, the hall time is over. Outside, the DM for men and women will come relatively soon, as will the qualifying competition for the World Cup in Nairobi in Mannheim, which will be the absolute highlight.