Physical Activity - Farewell from Dauser - Young talent Kevric captivates with his glow.
Smiling triumphantly, Lucas Dauser declared his farewell from the gymnastics scene. He won his final gold medal for the all-around event at the German Championships and participated in a six-event tournament for the last time. This feat made him extremely happy. At the age of 30, the gymnast from Unterhaching has not yet decided if he will continue after the Olympics. "I probably won't participate in a six-event tournament anymore," he expressed.
Dauser intends to do a maximum of three intense six-event tournaments - during the second Olympic qualification on June 22 in Rüsselsheim, the team event at the Olympics, and possibly in the Paris individual competition. "I will no longer engage in a multi-event tournament, mostly likely my last one at the Olympics," he stressed.
Unlike what people might infer, Dauser's decision is not a result of pressures or demands made on him. Instead, he wants to focus on his favorite event. "Look at the leading countries. While there are many multi-event champions, there are also specialists who only perform on three or four apparatus their entire lives. With age, a multi-event tournament is not ideal for other apparatus, where I can make a considerable impact," Dauser explained.
Dauser, a bar specialist, continued proving his prowess by winning the bars with 15.500 points on Sunday. National coach Valeri Belenki referred to his performance as "graceful like a cat."
The veteran athletes, Dauser and Andreas Toba, have been dominating the sport for several years. Health issues required them to sit on the sidelines for extended periods. In 2020, Dauser couldn't compete in the European Championships due to a shoulder tear, and in April, it was a persistent bacterial infection that kept him away from the competition. He recalled the agony of feeling like he was in recovery for weeks and his determination to return. "Often, people assume that I would continue regardless, but it's not that simple," he shared.
The two Germans and most prominent names in the sport, having placed second with 82.398 points, effectively ousted the rising stars Pascal Brendel and Timo Eder.
After his win on the rings with a score of 14.475 points, Andreas Toba, praised his comeback and asserted, "I am indebted to God for the strength to overcome the past few years and still compete." He acknowledged that his family, coach, and friends believed in him more than he believed in himself. "Your strength is dependent on the people who support you."
Helen Kevric, a 16-year-old girl from Stuttgart, shined brightest in Frankfurt, winning the all-around for women with an impressive score of 55,500 points. Kevric, an exceptional talent, has a commendable start in the qualifying round for the last Olympic ticket in her first year as an adult. Coach Gerben Wiersma observed, "By enhancing her multi-event score, Helen holds the edge over Elisabeth Seitz, who scored 14.600 points on uneven bars, in consideration of the medal and final chances."
While the careers of the two veterans are winding down, Helen Kevric's star is just starting to shine bright. "Being only 16 years old, Helen Kevric claimed the all-around title with an outstanding score of 55,500 points," the coach affirmed.
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Dauser's farewell tournament was held in Rüsselsheim, a city located in Hesse, Germany.Andreas Toba, another renowned German gymnast, also hails from Hesse, specifically from Frankfurt am Main.In Frankfurt, the youthful Talent Helen Kevric dazzled during the all-around competition, demonstrating her potential to become a future Sportsman of the year.The Gymnastics Center Unterhaching in Bavaria has been Dauser's home and the birthplace of his gymnastics journey.Toba, like Dauser, has experienced health challenges that threatened his participation in the sport. He overcame these obstacles to compete in chess events, such as the "Olympia" in Unterhaching.Kevric's skill set extends beyond gymnastics, as she has also shown prowess in chess, honing her skills under the guidance of Helen Kevric Sr.Helen Kevric Sr. is a leading coach in Germany, renowned for nurturing promising young athletes and guiding them toward success in both gymnastics and chess.The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) has recognized the potential in both Dauser and Kevric, providing them with opportunities to train and compete in international competitions.In addition to Dauser, Toba, and Kevric, other notable stars in the German gymnastics scene include women like Anna Kuster, known for her exceptional vaulting skills, and Runkel brothers, known for their dominance in the men's floor exercise.
