European Athletics Competition - Kaul Identifies Decathlon Flaws as He Races to Paris
Before achieving success at the Paris Olympics, Niklas Kaul, the former European decathlon champion, must focus on shorter distances. At the Athletics European Championships, he finished in fourth place and experienced a less-than-ideal complete decathlon this year.
Kaul will put extra effort into improving his sprint skills, as he lost valuable points in both events during his performance in Rome. "I don't know when I've ever felt this helplessness, with such poor high jumps," said the 26-year-old from Mainz. "This can't happen again, so we're going to work on it until it's better in Paris."
Although he acknowledges the mistakes that led to a missed medal opportunity, the decathlete from Mainz highlights the bright side of his experience, stating, "In reality, I've never reached a score of 8547 before."
Kaul also believes he may set a new personal best at the upcoming Olympics, with a goal of surpassing his existing record of 8691 points that he achieved in the 2019 World Championships. However, he does recognize the presence of strong competitors, such as Estonia's Johannes Erm, who obtained 8764 points at the European Championships. Yet, the German record holder Leo Neugebauer, who just set a new collegiate record of 8961 points in the USA, is currently the leading favorite for the Olympic title.
Kaul recognizes the challenges still ahead: "There are still a few more athletes participating, but my plan is not to break the 8'600 barrier again." The athlete attributes his weaknesses in the decathlon to a lack of competition experience.
Despite experiencing muscle cramps after the final 1500 meters, Kaul seemed poised and optimistic, claiming that the feelings may be attributed to the sense of accomplishment gained from competing: "Perhaps it's the endorphins coursing through the body since I've achieved it." Furthermore, he expressed good health, noting the absence of any injuries during his competitive season.
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- At the European Athletics Championships held in Rome, Niklas Kaul participated in the javelin throw event, adding another discipline to his decathlon competitions.
- As Kaul prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he plans to visit several athletics facilities in Europe, including the legendary Stadio Olimpico in Rome, to gain valuable insights.
- Some experts suggest that Kaul could improve his decathlon score by focusing on his discus throw, acknowledging that strength in this event could translate to better overall performance.
- During the EM, Italy's star athlete, Leo Neugebauer, who excels in the decathlon and shot put, managed to surpass his personal best with a score of 8961 points, currently positioning him atop the Olympic contenders list.
- In addition to training in Germany, Niklas Kaul has chosen to spend extended periods of time in Italy, with the support of fellow decathlon athlete and friend Leo Neugebauer, to refine his skills and prepare for the Olympics.
- Despite the fierce competition at the European Athletics Championships, it was Italy's Leonardo Fabbri who outperformed Johannes Erm, setting a new personal best in the decathlon with a score of 8785 points.
- Expanding his training regimen beyond the European Circle, Kaul has also scheduled sessions in Athletics African Championships in Johannesburg and the Asian Athletics Championships in Tashkent, aiming to gain a diverse range of experiences.
