Julian Weber was supposed to give the German team the first gold since 2022 at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo-but then he struck the World Cup trauma again. The supposed favorite remains without a medal at world events.
The 31-year-old remained significantly below his possibilities with a best width of 86.11 meters and even under his qualification width (87.21 meters), only took fifth place. The victory surprisingly went to Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago (88.16), silver won Anderson Peters (Grenada/87.38) and bronze secured Curtis Thompson (USA/86.67) in a more disappointing competition. In addition to Weber, Neraj Choprah (India) also disappointed as eighth.
Weber was the best this year – until the World Cup came
With the season best of 91.51 meters, Weber went into the competition as a favorite – an infection during the preparation for Tokyo changed nothing, especially since he himself said he was ready for the final. However, it was also in the head of the German javelin thrower that he had often been in the World Cup and Olympic struggles as a medal candidate, but more than three fourth and two sixth places were not yet out.
Weber came into the competition leisurely after he survived the qualification with 87.21 meters the day before, but also revealed problems with the different coverings in the start -up. His first width was 83.63 meters, after the first round he was sixth, although the other favorites were not immediately going. After the first round with Thompson and Sachin Yadaz (India/86.27) there was a surprise duo at the top.
Increase at Weber, but then only the desperation rose
Weber increased to 86.11 meters and fifth place, but it was obvious that he was not satisfied at all. It was further the competition of the outsiders, Walcott (increased again later) sat in the first position with 87.83 meters. At Weber the nervousness increased, an invalid attempt followed and his trainer Burkard Looks instructed him to sit between the throws instead of going back and forth.
But nothing helped, the fourth attempt was disappointing at 80.66 meters, despair spread. But not only Weber wobbled, but also fovorit Neraj Chopra was far from his own demands, the Indian saved himself at 84.03 meters just as eighth in the fifth attempt – after that it was over for him.
The 90-meter launchers had their problems, the third who had already exceeded this brand this year, was not even there. Brazilian Luiz Mauricio Da Silva had already failed in qualification.
Unsuccessful waiting for the Weber turn
Weber got angry, threw away his jacket, tried with more emotions. He took the audience with him, let him clap – but he didn’t pay back. At 81.57 meters, the fifth attempt was also devastating, he only had an opportunity to defeat his World Cup trauma.
The rain started, the train was wet, it got colder – were that perhaps the circumstances in which the medal throw could still succeed? No, Weber tore up again and threw 84.67 meters, but it wasn’t an increase. He lay down to the ground and mourned. Because he knew that he had failed him again at a World Cup.