Decathlon before the showdown: Kaul reaches for gold – drama about Mayer

Created: 08/16/2022, 14:25

By: Nico-Marius Schmitz

Shouted out joy: Decathlete Kaul.

dpa © ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Niklas Kaul reaches for a medal in the decathlon on the second day.

The German decathlete convinces.

Also strong: The Swiss Ehammer.

Munich – Niklas Kaul was inspired by the Olympic Stadium.

From competition to competition, the decathlete interacted more with the spectators, clenched his fists, shouted out his joy.

Kaul is on course for gold after the first day.

Also benefiting from the departure of Kevin Mayer.

He knew right away in the morning that he couldn't go any further.

The world record holder in the decathlon sat on the tartan track of the Olympic Stadium after the 100 m sprint and took off his shoes.

A little later, Mayer applauded in the direction of the fans, he said goodbye early.

"I did everything to be competitive again," said the Frenchman.

Now the bitter realization that it's not enough: "See you next year."

The end of top favorite Mayer - and a German wins?

That's a tradition.

In 2018 Arthur Abele, who is currently fighting his last decathlon in the Olympic Stadium, won the European Championships.

In 2019, Kaul was crowned the youngest world champion in Doha.

The first decathlon day suits him: Ehammer epa © CHRISTIAN BRUNA

The 24-year-old started the competition strongly yesterday, setting a personal best time of 11.16 seconds over the 100 m.

"I'm a bit annoyed," he said, but then came to the conclusion: "Personal best time is okay." Kaul followed up with 7.10 meters in the long jump.

There, at the long jump pit, it got loud every time Simon Ehammer started.

The Swiss won bronze in the individual discipline at the World Championships in Eugene and set a new long jump world record in the decathlon with 8.45 meters.

In Munich it was 8.31 at the end - over the 100 m he also convinced with 10.56 seconds.

In the mixed zone after the morning session, the 22-year-old also had a clear opinion of Mayer.

It was "a bit unfair" and "not quite correct" that the Frenchman didn't arrive fit and thus took away the starting place from others.

Kaul let his actions do the talking in the stadium, 14.90 in the shot put – best performance of the season.

In the high jump he stumbled for the first time after 2.02 meters - manageable.

The conclusion was the 400-meter run, the man from Mainz crossed the finish line in 47.84 seconds – a personal best.

The day was dominated by Ehammer, who started the decisive competitions as the leader.

"The atmosphere here is really great, the fans are a lot of fun," he said.

Will Kaul become a killjoy?

The German is significantly better in the throwing disciplines and also in the final 1500 meter run.

If everything goes according to plan, Munich can celebrate gold.

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