Athletics Competition in Europe - Kaul aims to recreate "Goosebumps" success during the European Championship.
The thrilling memories of the enchantingly magical Munich Euro Championships still linger for decathlete Niklas Kaul as he prepares to defend his title. "Reminiscing about the Euro Championships in Munich gives me goosebumps. That was the most astounding competition I've ever been a part of," the 26-year-old expressed to the German Press Agency.
"Oh, how captivating it was!"
"Oh, how captivating it was," sang 40,000 ecstatic athletics fans in August 2022 during Kaul's impeccable spear throw showcase. The Mainzer culminated with a dramatic 1500-meter victory and a massive lead to triumphantly win the gold medal.
"It was astonishingly beautiful," reminisced the student. Following the German decathlon record in the U.S., Kaul and his peers will be in the limelight in Rome on Monday. And there, he aspires to win gold again.
"Niklas is certainly trustworthy in defending his title. The competition is tough and formidable, but if anyone can win championships, it's Niklas," claimed national coach Christopher Hallmann to the German Press Agency. "Buttermann, Eitel (Ulm), Nowak (Ulm), and Wolter (Graefelfing) are the other German contenders."
Kaul eyes Olympic glory
While Eitel endeavors to secure his Olympic ticket for Paris at the European Championships, Kaul is already qualified for the Summer Games. After the world title in 2019, when he became the youngest decathlon world champion of all time, and the gold medal in Munich, Kaul yearns for his Olympic luck.
"I would naturally adore to win one of the three medals. However, for that, I need to display my best performance, or I won't stand a chance," Kaul asserted, who captivates the appeal of his sport discipline in his newly published book "The Magic of the Decathlon."
A tragic departure in Tokyo 2021
A medal in Paris would serve as the ideal ending to Kaul's awe-inspiring Olympic narrative. Heartbreaking were the images of him having to withdraw from the competition in Tokyo due to injury, with his hands covering his face and being ushered away in a wheelchair.
"That wasn't easy. That haunts me in my mind. It took some time to process it," said Kaul. However, oddly enough, that competition served as the foundation for the phenomenal season in 2022 with the European Championship title in Munich as the pinnacle.
Healthy through the winter and free of impediments at the start of the season
Kaul, who also had to end the World Championships in Budapest prematurely last year, survived the winter in good health and started the season without any setbacks. He aims to transform his impressive training accomplishments and individual performances into a successful European Championship outcome on Monday and Tuesday at the Stadio Olimpico. "That's the initial objective towards Paris," proclaimed the seasoned sports and physics teacher.
If Kaul's ambitions align with reality, Paris will not be the terminus of his Olympic journey. "I aspire to be there in 2028 in Los Angeles. Then I'll be 30 years old - that's suitable."
Read also:
- Niklas Kaul reflects on the goosebumps he experienced during the European Athletics Championships in Munich, remembering it as the most remarkable competition of his career.
- The upcoming European Athletics Championships in Rome offer another opportunity for decathlete Niklas Kaul to defend his title, just as he did in Munich.
- The German Press Agency highlighted the anticipation surrounding Niklas Kaul's title defense at the European Athletics Championships, with national coach Christopher Hallmann noting his confidence in Kaul's abilities.
- Apart from Niklas Kaul, other German contenders at the European Athletics Championships include Buttermann, Eitel (Ulm), Nowak (Ulm), and Wolter (Graefelfing).
- Looking beyond the European Athletics Championships, Niklas Kaul has his eyes set on the Olympics in Paris, having already secured his qualification for the event.
- While his German peers compete for an Olympic ticket in Rome, Niklas Kaul aims to clinch another gold medal at the European Athletics Championships before focusing on Paris.
- The book "The Magic of the Decathlon," written by Niklas Kaul, further highlights his appeal and passion for athletics, offering insights into his journey in the sport.
- Heartbreakingly, Niklas Kaul was forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics due to an injury, leaving him devastated and requiring time to process the experience.
- However, the tough competition and unfortunate setback in Tokyo acted as a catalyst for Kaul's phenomenal season in 2022, culminating in the European Championship title in Munich.
- The successful 2022 season has seen Niklas Kaul maintaining good health throughout the winter and starting the new season without any setbacks, aiming to convert his training accomplishments into a successful European Championship outcome.
- If Niklas Kaul achieves his goals at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, Paris will not be the end of his Olympic journey; he aspires to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles at the age of 30.
