Javelin thrower Julian Weber is in a class of his own at the German championships. Former world champion Johannes Vetter cannot take advantage of his last chance to get an Olympic ticket. He needs an operation.
Julian Weber is travelling to the Olympic Games in Paris as the German javelin champion. The European Championship runner-up from Mainz won his fourth national title in a row at the athletics championships in Braunschweig. Weber achieved the best distance of 86.63 metres in his sixth and final attempt, but any of the other five attempts would have been enough to win.
Weber was satisfied with his competition overall. “The breakaway was a little bit missing, which is a little annoying,” said the fourth-place finisher at the World Championships, who says he is currently in a tough training phase. Weber is aiming for a personal best at the Olympics. “That’s my goal, then I’ll definitely get a medal. After today I’m even more optimistic,” said the 29-year-old, who is still missing a throw over 90 meters.
Veteran Thomas Röhler took second place, but the 2016 Olympic champion was already well behind with 76.84 meters. “I’m doing too well to put the javelin in the corner,” explained the 32-year-old from Jena afterwards. Max Dehning, who is only 19 years old and who sensationally exceeded the 90-meter mark in the winter, came third with 75.70 meters. The former decathlon world and European champion Niklas Kaul took fourth place in the field of specialists with a strong 75.60 meters.
Vetter only sixth
Former javelin world champion Johannes Vetter was injured and failed in his attempt to use his season debut as his final chance to secure an Olympic ticket. The German record holder, who has been plagued by physical problems time and again, only came in sixth with 73.16 meters. The 31-year-old did not even take part in his last attempt. The direct standard for the games in Paris is 85.50 meters.
“The operation is unavoidable,” said Vetter, due to two torn ligaments in his taped elbow. After that, he wants to return to his old strength and hopes for support from the association. “I know that there is still something or enough in the tank to be able to achieve good distances again.”
Source: Stern
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