Paralympics: Johannes Floors is the fastest man in the world without legs

When Johannes Floors had finally crowned himself the fastest man without legs, “Aunt Silver” was already waiting at the finish. With the Germany flag around his shoulders and an ice cream in hand, Irmgard Bensusan cheered the new prosthesis sprint king. She jumped into his arms cheering – and dropped her ice cream.

“At that moment it would even have been okay if it had cut my meniscus out,” said Floors, who shouted his joy at the finish line over 400 meters with a loud “I am the champion”. There was a lot of relief in it too. World champion, world record holder, European champion – he was all of that in the magical successor class of “Blade Runner” Pistorius among para-athletes. But it would not have been perfect without this Paralympic gold at the Tokyo Games.

Johannes Floors: “Now is my era”

“Now I could cry. Before that, I shit my pants,” said the 26-year-old: “I do that before every race, but this time it was completely different. Every thought went through my head twice. What do you do if you win? What if you slip? Or if the fucking feather breaks while warming up? Luckily I channeled the positives out. “

Now he has everything together. “Fastest man on no legs. Sounds great. I’ll take it,” said the man from Leverkusen. That was the name of the South African Oscar Pistorius, who made para-sport known by participating in the Olympic Games in 2012 and is now in jail for the manslaughter of his girlfriend. “Now is my era,” said Floors, who was just seven hundredths of a second below his world record in 45.85 seconds.

His Leverkusen training colleague Bensusan was happy with it. “The boys are deep in my heart,” said the 30-year-old. She in no way grieved that she had won Paralympics silver for the fifth time instead of the redeeming gold medal 20 minutes earlier.

Irmgard Bensusan wins silver again

“I actually hate the 100 meters,” said Bensusan, who had to admit defeat to Marlene van Gansewinkel from the Netherlands: “I admit: After the 200 meters I was fucked up. Because I beat her there in the past few years. There was I’m disappointed. Now I’m happy. I’m the second best in the world. Although I only run against prostheses. That’s phenomenal. ” Bensusan suffers from nerve damage in his right lower leg. “Silver Irmie” wanted the native South African, who is called “Aunt Irmie” by her teammates, but is not called: “Silver aunt is better.”

For Saturday she has “already arranged a competition with sprint colleague David Behre, who is ending his successful career in Tokyo,” she said: “Who can eat more sushi. I brought extra wide pants for afterwards.” At first Floors did not know anything about this eating contest, but immediately joined in. “I think they still need a competitor.”

Ali Lacin also wants to really feast on Saturday. With his bronze run over 200 meters for the lower leg amputee, the Berliner had completed the German set of medals in the Olympic Stadium within half an hour. “Tomorrow is cheat day,” announced the 33-year-old: “I’ve been holding back for weeks. Now there’s definitely something to be eaten,” he said: “And there are definitely sweets.” Lacin opened a confectionery wholesale business with his brother in 2013.

Sports marksmen and swimmers also win medals

Aside from the Olympic Stadium, Germany received two medals on the third last day of the competition. Sports shooter Natascha Hiltrop from Lengers won after gold with the air rifle, silver in the 50-meter three-position competition with the rifle. “The last shot could have been better,” said the 29-year-old: “But I’m completely satisfied.”

Swimmer Verena Schott, 33, took bronze again over 100 meters back as before over 200 meters and 100 meters chest. “Now I’m looking forward to coming home to my three monsters,” said the Cottbus woman.