Gymnastics: DM In Focus - Farewell ceremony for Dauser features rising talent Kevric in the limelight.
Lucas Dauser, beaming with pride and a satisfied grin, bid a small farewell to the gymnastics world. He had clinched the title for the last time at the German Championships for the all-around discipline. This was also the last time the 30-year-old gymnast from Unterhaching would participate in a six-event competition at a national event.
"This title means a lot to me," said Dauser, speaking in between bar routines in Frankfurt/Main. "I haven't made a decision yet about my post-Olympic future, but I won't be competing in the all-around anymore."
The world champion said he would perform a maximum of three grueling six-event competitions, consisting of floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and bars, at the second Olympic qualification event on June 22 in Rüsselsheim, the team competition at the Olympic Games, and possibly the Paris individual decider. "I won't be doing the all-around anymore - hopefully, this will be my last one at the Olympics."
Focusing on His Specialty
Although he wants to bow out on his own terms, Dauser insisted his announcement should not be misconstrued. Instead, he intends to hone in on his forté - the bars. "When you look at the top nations, they have many more specialists who focus on just three or four events throughout their lives. In my age, continuing the all-around incompetition is not beneficial for the other events where I could contribute more," explained Dauser.
Demonstrating his exceptional skill on the bars, Dauser won with a score of 15.500 points. "It's such a smooth style, like a cat," acknowledged national coach Valeri Belenki.
In previous years, the German gymnastics superstar had to battle health issues. He missed the European Championships twice - first because of a shoulder muscle tear and then because of a stubborn bacterial infection that kept him out of action for five weeks. He described the enforced rest as "unbearable." "People always expect me to perform well no matter what. It's not that simple," admitted Dauser.
Averting the Young’s Advance
Despite being on the brink of retirement, Dauser and his long-time teammate and friend Andreas Toba efficiently checked the progress of the rising youth, with last year's champion Pascal Brendel in fourth place and Timo Eder in third. Both men, 33 and 30 years old respectively, held their ground when faced with younger and fresher talent. "It's incredible to have my friends as competitors," Toba extolled.
Kevric Shines Bright
While the careers of these two veterans are nearing their end, 16-year-old Helen Kevric stood out. The Stuttgart native claimed her maiden victory in the women's all-around with a total score of 55,500 points and established an auspicious start towards competing in the Olympics. "This is an impressive showing by the young talent," her national coach Gerben Wiersma remarked. Kevric has also put herself within striking distance of qualifying for the Olympics due to her all-around score, which sits just below the medal-earning and final-chance criteria set by German record-holder Elisabeth Seitz's 14,600-points score on the uneven bars.
"Helen is in fourth place in the all-around, and Elisabeth's score is in fifth place on the bars," said Wiersma.
