After fifth place and missing out on qualifying for the World Championships at the German Championships in Berlin, javelin throwing Olympic champion Thomas Röhler is banking on the home European Championships in Munich in August.
“It was because of my willingness to take risks. For me it only works with speed,” explained the 30-year-old top athlete from Jena, explaining why, from his point of view, it wasn’t enough for more than fifth place and 71.81 meters. “The risk is planned for me in Munich. At the moment, however, health is top priority.”
Röhler had already missed the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to persistent back pain and wanted to try again this year. “Fear is definitely the wrong word at this point. We’re in a technically delicate sport, we’re talking about attempts, about slipping away,” he explained. “You have the component of your own body.” If you can’t implement the technology you have in mind, you have a big problem.
“That’s why the hard focus is now on the European Championships in Munich,” said the 2018 European champion, who has secured his start with a wildcard. The 2016 Olympic champion was unable to break the norm for the World Championships from July 15th to 24th in Eugene/USA.
In order to be fit again by the first day of the competition in Munich at the latest, he wants to withdraw to Jena for training. The situation and the limited ability to throw are not easy for him. “Mentally you have to be strong on some evenings,” Röhler admitted. Nevertheless, he can deal with this low relatively easily because he is at peace with himself. “I love throwing the javelin, I even enjoy it – only the javelin doesn’t go that far.”
Olympic fourth-placed Julian Weber from Mainz successfully defended his title with a good 86.61 meters in front of Maurice Voigt, who threw 77.35 meters. Former champion Andreas Hofmann from Mannheim did not get past 76.33 meters and third place.