No medal but happy nonetheless. Decathlete Leo Neugebauer is satisfied with fifth place. The desire for Paris is already huge. The German record holder is particularly looking forward to one thing.
Without a decathlon medal, Leo Neugebauer takes a lot of knowledge from the World Championships in Athletics with him for the next big tests. “I’ll try to take a similar approach and learn from this season that I’m in top form at the Olympics,” said the 23-year-old.
After taking the lead on day one of the World Championships, he finished fifth in the heat of Budapest. “I’m overjoyed to have finished. Fifth place, good score, had a great season, German record – now I can sleep really well.”
Of course, Neugebauer would have liked to use his lead after five disciplines to win a medal. But that will most likely come if Neugebauer, who is studying in Texas, continues his development as before. “Most people know what my potential is, that I have a lot of potential,” said the man who improved the almost four-decade-old record of Germany’s decathlon legend Jürgen Hingsen in June.
“Just always be myself”
At the National Athletics Center in Budapest, Neugebauer was the selfie king. Again and again he had himself photographed or high-fived fans. In between, however, he lost his composure in the competition. His lesson: “Just stay a little more relaxed, just stay myself,” said the top athlete who grew up in Baden-Württemberg.
With 8645 points, the world’s best of the year did not make it onto the podium and also remained almost 200 points below his German record from June. Last year’s second placed Pierce Lepage from Canada collected 8909 points to win, compatriot and Olympic champion Damian Warner was second with 8804 points. Lindon Victor from Grenada took bronze with 8756 points. Ulm’s Manuel Eitel (8191) came eleventh in his World Championship debut. European champion Niklas Kaul dropped out four years after his world title on Friday because of foot problems.
“The mood in Europe is just incredible”
The risk was “unacceptable” in the year before the Olympic Games in Paris, said the 25-year-old Kaul. The summer games are also Neugebauer’s big goal. A little bit because of the atmosphere that enchanted him in Budapest. “Oh my God. The mood in Europe is just incredible,” said the economics student, thinking back to his World Cup debut a year ago. “I had so much more fun than in Eugene. I’m looking forward to Paris – it will definitely be similar.”
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
