The Upper Austrian was fifth in the prelim on Wednesday, and medals are at stake on Friday (8:20 p.m.). Ivona Dadic was on her way to a top place in the heptathlon but was disqualified in the 200m. Niklas Strohmayer-Dangl and Lena Pressler both finished 30th in the 400m hurdles.
In the discus qualification, world champion Kristjan Ceh from Slovenia (69.06/EM record), Olympic champion Daniel Stahl from Sweden (66.39) and defending champion Andrius Gudzius from Lithuania (66.70) made the direct qualification at 66 m in the first Attempt. Weißhaidinger started with 62.27 m and added 65.48, but he left it at that and didn’t notice the third attempt anymore. The Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna also delivered 65.48 in his first attempt and was fourth.
“A horse only jumps as high as it has to,” said Weißhaidinger, who came third in the Olympics, after the successful start to the European Championships. He made solid throws, that fits. Not only the fan club was in the stadium, but also numerous other Austrians. “They shouted ‘gemma Luki’ from all sides. I thought to myself, how many are there now? I was a bit surprised, I waited briefly in front of the ring and calmed my nerves. I was a bit nervous.”
Weißhaidinger left Eugene with a disappointing tenth place in the World Championship. “Ultimately it was little things that need to be improved. I’ll go into the ring on Friday and think about two or three key points. I have to give 100 percent when it’s thrown off anyway.” He was armed against the heat with cooling vests and pads. The ice bath and a short meeting with the fans awaited him later. Rain is forecast for Friday. Weißhaidinger and trainer Gregor Högler are prepared for that.
The 28-year-old Dadic won her run over 100 m hurdles in the season’s best time (SB) of 13.70 seconds and also set a SB in the high jump with 1.77 m. In the shot put she came to 14.31 m before being disqualified over the 200 m for crossing the track. Bitter for the EM third of 2016, after the cancellation for the World Cup, she focused on the EM and delivered a good first day. The Belgian Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam was the clear overall best with 4,063 points.
Debutant and career changer Strohmayer-Dangl was fourth in his pre-run in 51.21, only the first three climbed directly. Overall, the ex-soccer player from Burgenland ended up in 30th place. “Today, the last fifty meters didn’t save me either. It’s bitter, it’s a shame. I’m a bit disappointed.” The 50.85 of the third-placed “I’m actually constantly on it or actually much more,” said the 20-year-old, who had reduced his personal best (PB) to 50.62 this year.
But he has gained experience for upcoming major events. “The fact that I’m allowed to stand here after two years of athletics training is already a huge success. I have to be satisfied, but I know what’s inside and I can set good goals for myself.” Lena Pressler completed the stadium loop over the hurdles in 57.33 seconds, it was the second best career time after the PB of 56.73. “We tried something different. Going from four to five I took a little too much, but I caught up at the end. It was a good race.” The 21-year-old from Lower Austria will also compete in the 4 x 100 m relay in Munich.
Source: Nachrichten
