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Niklas Kaul had a strong first day of competition in Munich
Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
Former world champion Niklas Kaul is on course for a medal after the first day of the decathlon at the European Championships in Munich, despite seventh place.
In the first five disciplines on Tuesday, the 24-year-old from Mainz collected 4184 points.
He has thus created a good basis for a possible place in the top three.
The second day is his stronger and the javelin his strongest discipline.
At the World Championships in Eugene he had fought his way up from 16th place with 4147 points to sixth place at halftime.
In Munich he could benefit from the early retirement of world champion and world record holder Kevin Mayer, who had to abandon the fight for the title after the first discipline.
The Frenchman dropped out after the 100m to avoid aggravating an injury.
At the 2019 World Cup in Doha/Qatar, he had to give up injured after the first day of competition and paved the way for Kaul to win gold at the World Cup.
The best decathlete of the first day was Simon Ehammer from Switzerland, who is clearly in the lead with 4661 points.
He won bronze in the long jump at the World Championships.
The former world championship third place Kai Kazmirek (Neuwied) is in eighth place with 4155 points.
For European champion Arthur Abele, who ended his career after the home European Championship, it was only enough for 18th place and 3851 points.
Tim Nowak from Ulm was unable to compete in the 400 meters due to circulatory problems.
Previously, he had set a personal best in the high jump with 2.08 meters.
cev/dpa
