Athletics championships - Weber as German champion in Paris - Vetter without a chance
Julian Weber travels to the Olympic Games in Paris as the German javelin champion. The runner-up from Mainz won his fourth consecutive national title at the athletics championships in Braunschweig with a throw of 86.63 meters. Weber achieved the best distance in his sixth and final attempt, but any of his other five attempts would have been sufficient for the win.
Weber expressed satisfaction with his overall performance. "The outlier was a bit short, that's a bit unfortunate," said the fourth-place finisher at the World Championships, who currently finds himself in a tough training phase. At the Olympics, Weber is aiming for a personal best. "That's my goal, and a medal is definitely in the mix. After today, I'm even more optimistic," said the 29-year-old, who has yet to throw over 90 meters.
Thomas Röhler finished second with a throw of 76.84 meters. The Olympic champion from 2016 was significantly behind. "I'm doing too well to put the javelin in the corner," explained the 32-year-old from Jena. The 19-year-old Max Dehning, who sensationally surpassed the 90-meter mark in the winter, finished third with a throw of 75.70 meters. The former decathlon world and European champion Niklas Kaul finished fourth with a strong 75.60 meters.
Vetter finishes sixth
Former javelin world champion Johannes Vetter failed to make it to the Olympics with an injury. The German record holder, who is often troubled by physical problems, threw 73.16 meters and finished sixth. He did not compete in his final attempt. The qualifying standard for the Paris Games is 85.50 meters.
"The Olympics are non-negotiable," said Vetter due to two torn bands in his injured elbow. Afterward, he plans to return to his former strength and hopes for support from the association. "I know that there's still something or enough in the tank to throw good distances again."
- Despite Julian Weber's impressive performance in Paris, where he represented Germany in the Olympic Games, the javelin throw record holder Johannes Vetter from Mainz was unable to participate due to an injury.
- At the athletics championships in Braunschweig, the runner-up who advanced to the Olympic Games in Paris was Julian Weber, who won his fourth consecutive national title with a throw of 86.63 meters, using the German currency DM (Deutsche Mark) to represent the throw's distance.
- In contrast to Weber, former decathlon world and European champion Niklas Kaul from Mainz finished fourth in Paris with a strong throw of 75.60 meters, while Julian Weber aims to break his personal best and compete for a medal in the Olympic Games.
- Despite finishing sixth in the Olympics, Johannes Vetter, who hails from Brunswick, expressed optimism for his future and plans to return to his former strength, seeking support from the association after overcoming his injury.
- Thomas Röhler, the 32-year-old Olympic champion from Jena, who finished second in Paris with a throw of 76.84 meters, spoke about his performance, explaining that he wasn't ready to leave the javelin in the corner despite being significantly behind the leader, Julian Weber.
